Rabin Marselino Yarangga, Jayapura – Indonesian security forces are pursuing members of an armed separatist group following an attack that killed four road construction workers in Tolikara Regency, Highland Papua, military officials said on Monday.
According to Colonel Tri Purwanto, spokesman for the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, the attack took place on Sunday night while the workers were resting at their project camp in Wokini District.
"The manhunt is targeting the armed group led by Botak Wanimbo and Teranus Enumbi, which attacked the workers on Sunday night and killed several of them," Tri said.
He said three other workers escaped during the assault.
The four victims were identified as Arman Sibarani, Erlin Aritonang, Alfons, and Barengga, all employees of PT Sutan Harauli Jaya, the contractor responsible for the road construction project.
"We strongly condemn this act of violence, which claimed the lives of civilians working to build infrastructure for the people of Papua," Tri said.
The separatist group known as the Free Papua Movement (OPM) later claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement on Monday, OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom asserted that the group had targeted individuals it alleged were Indonesian military intelligence personnel posing as construction workers. The group claimed five people were killed, a figure that differs from the military's confirmed death toll of four.
Sebby also warned military personnel and migrants working in occupations including motorcycle taxi drivers, construction workers, healthcare workers, teachers, and civil servants to leave areas the group considers its operational territory.
The military has denied OPM's allegations that the victims were intelligence operatives.
Last month, the OPM also claimed responsibility for the killing of Nicholas Goselin, an American pilot with Associated Mission Aviation, in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesian-forces-hunt-papua-separatists-after-four-road-workers-kille