Policeman attacked in Nabire

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A police sergeant was stabbed by a man claiming to be a member of the Papuan Security Force (Satgas Papua) in Nabire, the capital of Nabire regency, on Thursday.

Nabire Police chief Lt. Col. Faizal A.N. said in a telephone interview from Nabire that the officer, identified only as Sgt. Wayan, was attacked by several men, who were later identified as members of Satgas Papua, on Jl. Merdeka in Oyehe subdistrict.

Wayan was on his motorcycle when the men attacked him. One of the attackers, identified by his initials MW, stole Wayan's gun, while AD, another attacker, stabbed him in the left arm, Faizal said.

The alleged attackers are still at large.

The Satgas Papua are known to often attack military or police personnel passing along Jl. Merdeka. An Army lieutenant, Mujid, of the 752 Battalion in Nabire was reportedly attacked by the same group of people some weeks ago, Faizal said. (eba)