The evacuation ran safely and smoothly without obstaclesJayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Seventeen civilians, including three children, have been evacuated from Kiwirok sub-district, Pengunungan Bintang district, Papua province, following Monday's attack by a separatist terrorist group in the sub-district, police said.
Following their evacuation to Oksibil, the capital of Pegunungan Bintang district, as of Saturday, there are no remaining native Papuan residents in Kiwirok, chief of the Pegunungan Bintang district police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukamito, said.
The 17 civilians were evacuated to Oksibil on a small Smart Air airplane in two batches, he informed.
“The evacuation ran safely and smoothly without obstacles,” he said.
Related news: Indonesian Army evacuates civilians from Kiwirok
Currently, the evacuees are being sheltered at the Pegunungan Bintang district police station in Oksibil, Sukamito informed.
The security situation in Kiwirok sub-district has remained tense since Monday when the Lamek Taplo-led Ngalum Kupel group engaged in a gunfight with security personnel.
Related news: Minister condemns armed group's attack on Kiwirok's healthcare workers
The commander of the Ngalum Kupel group, Elly M Bidana, was killed in the exchange of fire, while one soldier and two armed group members were injured, said officials.
The separatist terrorists also set fire to public facilities and attacked healthcare workers in Kiwirok.
One healthcare worker died after being pushed into a ravine by the terrorists. Meanwhile, four others who survived an attack by the armed group were taken to Marthen Indey Hospital in Jayapura for treatment.
Related news: Some 11 other residents of Kiwirok evacuated to Oksibil
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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