TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Papua Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw has confirmed the death of a police officer in a shootout with armed criminal group (KKB) in Kali Kabur, around Arwanop, in Indonesia's easternmost province.

"It is true that on Friday afternoon (Feb 28) a shootout occurred with the KKB in Kali Kabur that led to the death of private Doni Priyanto. The firing occurred at around 14:30 and went on until 17:00 local time, Waterpauw told Antara here on Saturday.

The body was transported by road owing to bad weather that hindered the use of a helicopter to immediately take it to Jakarta.

"The body is currently being taken to Timika," Waterpauw stated, adding that the victim was a member of the law enforcement team from Kelapa Dua.

Earlier, on Thursday, an exchange of fire between security forces and an armed criminal group in Nduga resulted in injuries to three people, including a member of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), Waterpauw confirmed.

Two civilians injured during the shooting on Wednesday (Feb 26) are undergoing treatment at Kenyam Hospital, while the wounded policeman was moved to Jakarta from Timika, Waterpauw stated.

According to the police, the armed group had attacked a military post in Koteka Village.

Waterpauw noted that the shooting had confirmed the authority's decision to not withdraw security personnel from the district.

The Indonesian Military and Police stationed its personnel in Nduga District following the assault against construction workers of state-owned construction firm PT Istaka Karya in December 2018 that killed 17 workers, while the fate of four other workers remains in limbo.

The security personnel are guarding the construction of a bridge in the region, he stated.

The workers are building a road that will provide access to the hilly area in Kali-Yigi-kali Urak in Nduga.

Speaking in response to the demand to withdraw security personnel, Waterpauw stated that the armed group is still creating trouble in the region and attacking security personnel.

"Do not politicize the existence of the Indonesian military and police in Nduga, as the security personnel are also among the victims of the attack," he stressed.

ANTARA