Jayapura. Three civil servants with the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Office in Highland Papua were killed after their vehicle was ambushed and fired upon by an armed group, security authorities said Wednesday evening.

The attack occurred in Muliama District as Agriculture Office personnel were returning from an inspection of a rice-field development project in Jayawijaya, according to Faizal Ramadhani, head of operations for the Cartenz Peace Task Force, a joint police and military security operation in Papua.

The victims were identified by their initials as WB, 24; AR, 49; and AAM, 35. AR headed the livestock division at the Jayawijaya Agriculture Office.

“While traveling back toward Wamena, the group was allegedly intercepted and fired upon by an armed group,” Faizal was quoted by Kompas as saying.

AR and AAM died at the scene, while WB was evacuated to Wamena Regional General Hospital for treatment but later died from his injuries.

“AR suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, while AAM suffered gunshot wounds to the back of the head and left hand. Both died at the scene,” Faizal said.

“Meanwhile, WB suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his waist,” he added.

Gunmen Flee before Security Forces Arrive
After receiving a report of the shooting, joint security personnel were deployed to the area and conducted a search around the Muliama Community Health Center and the suspected site of the attack.

“Personnel who arrived at the location conducted a search of the surrounding area, but the perpetrators had already fled,” Faizal said.

Preliminary findings indicate that the armed group involved in the attack may have come from the neighboring Nduga area, according to the task force.

Authorities are continuing their investigation and gathering information to determine the identities of the attackers and establish who was responsible.

“We will ensure that the investigation is conducted thoroughly to establish the chronology, identify the perpetrators and ensure that they are held accountable in accordance with the law,” Faizal said.

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack as of Wednesday evening.

Armed separatist groups affiliated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM) have publicly claimed responsibility for a number of previous attacks in Papua, but authorities have not established their involvement in Wednesday's shooting.

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