Military chief bullied, gun seized

JAYAPURA, Papua: Karubaga military chief Second Lt. Pudjo was bullied on Thursday by a group of civilians who then seized his FN pistol in the area of Bulakme, Jayawijaya regency, Papua province, officials said.

Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Nurdin Zainal confirmed the incident that injured the victim.

The incident took place after Pudjo, who was driving to Wamena, was stopped by a group of men who asked for money, Nurdin said, but added that the victim refused to give them any.

On his way back from Wamena to Baruga, Pudjo was again stopped by the men in Bulakme, who asked for his wristwatch. When he refused the men attacked him and seized his gun.

Nurdin said the attackers were not separatist rebels, but locals, whom the victim recognized.

The military is seeking to recover the FN piston and its bullets by approaching local tribal leaders, the Trikora commander said. --Antara