Meirto Tangkepayung, Jayapura – The Indonesian Military reported on Friday that a middle-ranking Army officer was discovered dead with gunshot and stab wounds in Paniai regency, Papua.

The Free Papua Movement (OPM) claimed responsibility for the killing of 2nd Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, who served as the commander of the Aradide District Military Command.

Lieutenant Colonel Candra Kurniawan, a spokesman for the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command overseeing Papua, said that the ambush and shootings occurred in the Pasir Putih region of Aradide district.

The victim departed from his office on Wednesday afternoon but failed to return the next morning.

"We conducted a search mission and discovered that he had been attacked and fatally shot by OPM members," Candra said. "We are actively pursuing the perpetrators, these ruthless OPM members who target both security officers and civilians indiscriminately."

The body of Oktovianus was found on the Trans-Papua road between Enarotali and Aradide on Thursday.

OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom shared a video depicting Oktovianus being shot while riding his motorcycle. One of the assailants proceeded to attack him with a machete as he lay on the ground.

The assailants danced around the body before posing for a photograph. Sebby said the attack was carried out by a group led by Osea Satu Boma.

"Major Osea Satu Boma has claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting of 2nd Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, the commander of the Aradide military command," Sebby said in a statement.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/army-officer-murdered-by-papua-rebel