The injured employee, identified as Andi Rerung, sustained a gunshot wound on his right leg after the terrorists opened fire at several workers, who attempted to put out the fire emanating from a diesel fuel tank in their factory premises.
The incident occurred at PT Delarosa's basecamp in Kenyam Village, Nduga Sub-district, at about 5 a.m. local time, Papua Police spokesman Sen. Coms. A. M. Kamal noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here, Thursday.
A witness, only identified by his initial as J, claimed to have seen a diesel fuel tank of the asphalt plant on fire at around 5 a.m. local time when he would cook a meal, Kamal noted.
The witness quickly informed other workers, who then rushed out of their basecamp to put out the fire that was torching the plant's premises located some 200 meters away from their basecamp, he stated.
While running some 65 meters in the direction of the asphalt plant, several armed Papuan terrorists, who might have hidden behind a pile of garbage, opened fire at Andi Rerung and JS. As a result, Rerung got injured, he revealed.
Rerung was taken to the basecamp by his workmate, while several other workers extinguished the fire. At around 8:50 a.m. local time, a team of Nduga police's personnel arrived at the plant's premises for investigation.
"The injured worker was evacuated to Timika, the capital of Mimika District, to receive medical treatment," Kamal added.
Related news: Armed Papuan group shoots civilian in Nduga district
Papua has borne witness to a spate of violence against civilians and security personnel in the past few years.
Intan Jaya recorded its bloodiest month in September 2020, with notorious armed groups launching a series of attacks that claimed the lives of two soldiers and two civilians and left two others injured.
Armed groups have continued their acts of terror this year, too.
On January 6, 2021, at least 10 armed Papuans vandalized and torched a Quest Kodiak aircraft belonging to the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) at the Pagamba village airstrip.
Armed groups often employ hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and unleash acts of terror against civilians to instill fear among the people.
On February 8, 2021, an armed rebel reportedly shot a 32-year-old man at close range in Bilogai Village, Sugapa Sub-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.
On February 9, six armed Papuans fatally stabbed a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver.
Thereafter, on the morning of September 13, several members of the Lamek Tablo-led separatist terrorist group reportedly torched several public facilities, including a public health center, and homes in Kiwirok.
The separatist terrorists reportedly assaulted and tortured several health workers from the Kiwirok Public Health Center. One health worker, identified as Gabriela Meilan, died, while four others sustained serious injuries in the attack.
Related news: Three wounded in exchange of fire in Nduga, Papua
Related news: Police Chief confirms no troops yet withdrawn from Nduga
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
