Asia-Pacific News
Policeman dies in shootout in Indonesian Papua
Feb 7, 2012, 9:27 GMT
Jayapura, Indonesia - A policeman was killed Tuesday in a shootout with an armed group in Indonesia's restive province of Papua, police said.
The incident occurred near a gold and copper mine operated by the US-based company Freeport-McMoRan in Timika district, Papua deputy police chief Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw said.
'We are still chasing the attackers,' Waterpauw said.
One member of the armed group was wounded in the attack, he said.
It was the latest in a series of attacks near the Freeport mine that have left at least 11 people dead since late last year.
Chief Inspector General Bigman Lumban Tobing said police had identified the group behind the attacks.
'They are elusive because they know the area better,' he said.
He said the group was led by Temy Kwalik, the brother of Kelly Kwalik, a leader of the secessionist Free Papua Movement who was killed by police in December 2009.
The movement has been fighting for independence for the mainly Melanesian region since the 1960s.
Papua, which together with West Papua province makes up nearly half of New Guinea island, is one of Indonesia's poorest provinces despite its abundant natural resources.
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