Grenade kills three

Grenade kills three

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Three teenagers were killed and three others seriously injured when a grenade exploded in Kenyam village in Tiom district in Jayawijaya regency on Tuesday, Antara reported yesterday.

The youths, pupils at a local primary school, found two grenades in a heap of rubbish left behind by campers in the area. Not recognizing the objects, they kicked the grenades around until one of them exploded.

It was not immediately clear who had left behind the grenades, identified as Korean-made, and the local administration was still investigating the incident.

The area is believed to have been visited by soldiers who were part of an operation to release the 12 people held hostage by Irian Jaya rebels. The village is about 10 km from Mapunduma where the hostages were held at one time. (emb)