Three killed in Mimika forest

TIMIKA, Irian Jaya: Three men were killed and four others injured when they were attacked by an unidentified gang while collecting firewood in Kali Kopi forest in Mimika regency on Sunday, the military said.

The authorities also expressed concern over the fate of 41 men who were working in the forest at the time of the attack, fearing that they might now be hostages of the assailants.

Mimika Military Command Chief Lt. Col. Fransen Siahaan said details of the killings came from those who survived the attack.

Cendrawasih Pos daily identified two victims as Abu Rahman, 23 and Lukman, 22. The identity of the third was not known.

They reportedly suffered from gunshots.

The four injured were treated at a hospital run by American copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia. (eba/edt)