Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - An armed group fatally shot a motorcycle taxi driver (ojek) in Eromaga, Puncak district, Papua province on Wednesday, chief of the Papua provincial police, Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri, confirmed on Wednesday.



The body of the 41-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, identified as Udin, was taken to the Ilaga public health service post (puskesmas), he said.



Local residents reported the shooting to the police, which later dispatched its personnel to the scene, he added.



It is believed Udin was shot on his right chest and the bullet reached his back after he dropped off his passenger, Fakhiri said. He also sustained gunshot wounds on his left cheek, he added.



No security disturbance was reported when the body was taken from the scene to the puskesmas, he said adding, a joint team of military and police personnel have been placed on standby in anticipation of another attack by the armed group.



The shooting is the latest in a series of attacks targeting civilians in Papua.



Several armed Papuan rebels shot dead two teachers and set ablaze junior and senior high school buildings in Beoga sub-district on April 8-9, 2021.



The violence prompted several local residents to flee their homes and seek refuge at a military post in the sub-district.



On February 9, 2021, six armed Papuans had fatally stabbed a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver. (INE)

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