Indonesian Soldier Shot Dead by Sniper in Papua

Jayapura (Antara) - A government soldier private Abraham, was shot dead on Thursday morning at 10.00 local by an armed group of civilians believed to be separatists at the Ilaga market center in the capital of the Puncal regency, Papua. Regional military spokesman Let. Col. Rikas told Antara news agency here the soldier was patrolling around the market center to keep order during the official installation of the Ilaga district head. "The soldier was shot dead when he was in the market center," Rikas said, adding the body would be evacuated to Jayapura. Papua remains a hot spot in the country with separatists still hiding in the mountain jungle posing a threat any time to security. (*)