Papua regional police spokesman Senior Commissioner Wachyono said when asked for his confirmation about the arrests that the four were now in the custody of the Sentani resort police for further questioning.
"We have arrested four suspects and one of them is known as Joel. The arrests took place not far from the scene of the attack and they are now being held at the Sentani resort police station," he said.
He said the arrests were made following information from one of the police officers who could escape from the ambush by an unknown group.
"The arrests were made based on information from chief brigadier Budi Santoso who along with second brigadier Ridwan was attacked by 15 armed civilians. Budi was able to escape unhurt from the ambush," he said.
When asked if the arrested suspects were members of the separatist OPM (Free Papua Organization)/TPN (National Liberation Army), Wachyono said the police did not know yet.
"We cannot yet say that they were part of OPM/TPN," he said.
On rumors that villagers of Berap had fled due to the attack by the unknown group, he said he could not yet verify them. "We do not know if the rumors are true. What is certain is that no flag raising had occurred in the area. So this could only be a trap set by the group," he said.
He said police units in the area were not reinforced following the attack on the two officers but the police were still chasing other suspects.
"A platoon has been assigned to chase the group," he said.
Regarding conditions in Papua in general, Wachyono said that they were secure and under control.
"Despite several incidents such as the morning star (separatist) flag raising in Wamena and the attack on two police officers, the situation in Puncak Jaya and Timika has remained secure and under control," he said.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
