Armed separatists kill eight civilians in Papua gold mining area

Eight gold miners were killed in an attack by armed separatist fighters in Yahukimo Regency in Indonesia’s Highland Papua Province, the Indonesian military said, Xinhua reports.

Military spokesperson Wirya Arthadiguna said the victims were civilians engaged in gold panning activities in the Korowai area, rejecting claims by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) that those killed were undercover security personnel.

“The eight victims were ordinary civilians, not security personnel,” Wirya said, condemning the killings as “a serious violation of law and human rights.”

The TPNPB claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a retaliatory operation following the deaths of two of its members last week.

Despite the violence, Wirya stated that the overall security situation remained under control, although he acknowledged that the area continues to face significant security challenges.

Papua, which shares an island with neighbouring Papua New Guinea, has experienced decades of separatist unrest, with armed groups frequently carrying out attacks targeting both civilians and Indonesian security forces.

By Vafa Guliyeva