The housewife, Deljati Pamean, was attacked by three men suspected of belonging to an armed Papuan group operating in the district, Puncak Police chief, Adjunct Sen.Coms.Dicky Saragih, informed on Wednesday.
"We are still probing the case and attempting to find out which armed group they belong to," he told ANTARA in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province.
Saragih said 28-year-old Pamean survived the assault, but sustained sharp force injuries.
Pamean runs a kiosk from her house in partnership with one Hendra Tenan, who also lives in the same house, he added.
Pamean told police that three men came to her kiosk around 1 p.m. on Tuesday while she was serving a buyer. Two of the three men told her they also wanted to buy goods, Saragih said.
One of the two men suddenly asked her about her husband. Pamean reportedly told him that her husband had gone to the village market. The two men then allegedly approached her and attacked her with a machete.
Pamean's scream for help was heard by Hendra Tenan, who happened to be at home, and he rushed out of his room to help her. The attackers and their friend ran towards the creek and escaped, Saragih said.
Tenan took Pamean to the village's public health center for treatment, he said, adding that the victim has been discharged from the public health center.
The Indonesian province of Papua has borne witness to a spate of violence, with armed Papuan groups in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, and Puncak targeting civilians and security personnel over the past two years.
The armed groups often employ hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel, while they unleash acts of terror against civilians to create fear among the public.
On February 9, 2021, a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver was stabbed to death by six armed Papuans.
The 40-year-old driver, identified as Rusman HR alias Aco, was reportedly stabbed on a street near Ilambet village in Ilaga sub-district, Puncak district.
He sustained serious stab wounds on the back while trying to escape his attackers and died of exsanguination, according to local police.
On February 8, 2021, an armed rebel reportedly shot a 32-year-old man at close range in Bilogai village, Sugapa sub-district, Puncak district.
The victim, identified by his initials as RNR, sustained gunshot wounds on the face and right shoulder and was taken to the Timika Public Hospital in Mimika district on February 9. (INE)
Related news: Papua: Armed group targets PT Palapa Ring, burns down property
Related news: 359 terrorized Papuans in Intan Jaya take refuge in church
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
