JAKARTA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's military said Friday its troops neutralized three members of a Papuan separatist group during a gunfight in Maybrat district, Southwest Papua province.
The clash broke out at around 9:01 a.m. local time when marines conducting a security operation came under attack near a river, according to a statement from the Habema military task force. Troops returned fire, hitting three members of the separatist Free Papua Movement.
One body was recovered at the scene, while two others were carried away by the river and a search remains underway. Soldiers also seized an AK-101 assault rifle, according to the statement.
Task force commander Brigadier General Riyanto said the military would respond firmly and professionally to armed threats against public safety, while urging fighters still in the forest to surrender peacefully.
Papua, which shares an island with Papua New Guinea, has long experienced separatist unrest, with armed groups carrying out attacks targeting civilians as well as security forces. ■