Gunmen in Indonesia's Papua province have killed eight soldiers during two separate attacks in the region.
In Thursday's first incident, Army officials say attackers stormed an army post in Puncak Jaya district, shooting two soldiers and leaving one dead.
Hours later, officials say, the same gunmen attacked a group of soldiers walking near the Ilaga airport, killing seven. Two civilians were shot when soldiers returned fire.
Senior Security Minister Djoko Suyanto told VOA's Indonesian Service that the government is intent on capturing the attackers.
"For sure we have to act, there has to be punitive action to what they have done," Suyanto said. "But first we have to analyze the strength to determine the size of the police-military forces that should be deployed to the area."
Suyanto said the attack was likely committed by a separatist group in the region.
In Thursday's first incident, Army officials say attackers stormed an army post in Puncak Jaya district, shooting two soldiers and leaving one dead.
Hours later, officials say, the same gunmen attacked a group of soldiers walking near the Ilaga airport, killing seven. Two civilians were shot when soldiers returned fire.
Senior Security Minister Djoko Suyanto told VOA's Indonesian Service that the government is intent on capturing the attackers.
"For sure we have to act, there has to be punitive action to what they have done," Suyanto said. "But first we have to analyze the strength to determine the size of the police-military forces that should be deployed to the area."
Suyanto said the attack was likely committed by a separatist group in the region.
