Eight gold diggers were killed in an attack by separatists in Indonesia's eastern Highland Papua province.
"Jakarta Globe" reports, citing military sources, that the attack was carried out by members of the Free Papua Movement. They accused the civilians of spying for Indonesian security forces.
Officials said the victims were not soldiers but civilians searching for gold. The separatists fled the scene. The military has deployed additional troops and helicopters and reinforced patrols in the area. The evacuation of bodies is ongoing.
Indonesia annexed West New Guinea in 1969. Separatists have been fighting for independence of the resource-rich region.
