Like some of its neighbors in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is now facing an insurrection of its own in its easternmost province of Papua where armed rebels are seeking to set up an independent state.
The separatist group launched deadly ambushes against government troops and civilians who were transporting logistics and cargo in Tingginambut and Sinak districts located in Puncak Jaya regency on Thursday morning, killing 12 and injuring five others.
The helicopter trying to evacuate the bodies of the victims was also assailed by the insurgents on Friday, forcing the evacuation to be suspended.
Indonesian Intelligence Agency (BIN) Chairman Marciano Norman has identified those involved in the latest attacks as militiamen of the Independence Papua Organization (OPM), the separatist group that frequently conducted attacks against civilians and government apparatus in the province.
"People could be allergic in hearing the existence of separatist group. But the fact is that the OPM and its armed group were behind the attacks. It's a long-time issue," Norman said here on Friday.
According to Norman, arms used by the militiamen were from the ones confiscated from Indonesian soldiers when they were ambushed in the jungles of the province.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has held a meeting with his ministers at the presidential palace to discuss the latest attacks in Papua.
"We have used economic, welfare and social approaches in Papua. We cannot condone the disturbances that have been occurring from time to time, including the one that happened yesterday that cost the lives of our troops," Yudhoyono was quoted as saying by the local media here.
The ministers at the meeting were told to continue development programs in the mineral-rich province along with "correct and proper measures" against the separatists.
Indonesian police and the military are now hunting down those responsible in the attacks.
Most attacks staged by separatists were in the operation area of U.S. gold and copper mining site Freeport Indonesia in Timika regency where some foreigners were among the victims.
In October 2011, the Indonesian military raided the separatist- sponsored Papua People's Congress, arresting its organizers and putting them to court.
