An armed group in Papua's central highlands ambushed an Indonesian military expedition on Monday, seizing guns and injuring at least five soldiers.
Inodnesian soldiers Photo: AFP
The unidentified group in Paniai regency captured three rifles and a handgun, which it later returned at the request of local leaders.
The Jakarta Post reports 16 military personnel were accompanying a survey team from electricity company PLN.
The company has promised to provide 99 percent of villages in Papua with power by 2019.
But after the incident it has withdrawn its teams from Paniai and neighbouring Dogiyai and Deiyai regencies.
The expedition team included 11 university students and three PLN experts, who are all reportedly safe.