Erwida Maulia – Ten people were killed when the Indonesian Military (TNI) opened fire in an alleged retaliatory attack on a village in Wamena, Papua, on Thursday, a human rights activist in Jayapura said on Friday.

Members of the TNI's local Battalion 756 reportedly attacked the village on Thursday, killing ten, injuring dozens of others and setting an unknown number of houses ablaze, Ferry Marisan, director of the Papua office of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam).

It has been difficult to determine exact numbers or verify reports because the TNI has shut off all access to the village, Ferry told The Jakarta Globe in a phone call from Jayapura. "We've been having difficulties confirming the figures because we cannot access the Wamena village. It's been blockaded by the TNI," Ferry said.

Original reports Thursday night listed the death toll at one. It has since grown to ten and will likely continue to rise as dozen of villagers were reportedly injured in the attack, Ferry said. "We've got the number from some members of the Papua Legislative Council after a meeting with them yesterday," Ferry said.

The TNI allegedly attacked the village as revenge for a solider who was killed by an angry mob on Wednesday, Papua Legislative Councilmember Nason Uti said.

First Private Sahlan was reportedly stabbed to death in the village of Honai Lama on Wednesday after nearly hitting a child on his motorcycle. Another solider, Second Sgt. Pardede, was badly injured in the attack.

The Indonesian military have denied allegations that members of the TNI attacked the village.

"I have not received any report of that incident. We've stationed our soldiers around the area; no one is wandering around," said Infantry Col. Ali Bogra, spokesman for the Papua Military Command. "After [Wednesday]'s incident, the situation is under control now. There are no other significant things happening."