Jayapura, Jubi – Two individuals were killed in an assault by unidentified attackers in the village of Kawe Miking Dokter 36, Awimbon District, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua Highlands Province on Sunday, August 27, 2023. The incident also injured five other individuals.
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Come. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo confirmed the assault on Monday. The fatalities were identified as LK (33) and JU (42), and the injured individuals were OB (45), JM (49), JFB (21), AL (29), and R (56).
According to Benny, the initial details regarding the event were provided by the spouse of one of the victims, who discovered the bodies of the two men on Sunday at approximately 1:30 p.m. Papua time. Alongside the fatalities, she also found the five wounded victims.
“At 3 p.m. the police transported the victims to Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua Province, using a helicopter,” Benny stated.
Benny suspects that the incident is likely a case of persecution and violent theft carried out by the assailants. Currently, the police are actively searching for the individuals responsible.
“The Bintang Mountains Police are doing their full efforts into unveiling the motive through a thorough investigation,” he emphasized.
LK’s remains are scheduled to be transported to North Sulawesi on Tuesday for burial there. Meanwhile, JU’s body will be laid to rest at the Bosowa Lama Public Cemetery in Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency.
Benny urged the community to remain composed and avoid being swayed by unverified information. “I encourage everyone to collectively steer clear of false news and engage actively with the police in getting to the bottom of this incident,” he concluded. (*)