The police in Papua New Guinea have reported a mass killing in remote jungle in the centre of the country last month.
They have called for government help saying the deaths were a result of tribal clashes which have been going on for thirty years.
PNG's Post Courier reports two children, a pregnant woman and an elderly woman were among the eleven killed on the border of Western Highlands and Enga Province.
Several people have been treated for bullet wounds at Mt Hagen General Hospital
The Western Highlands police commander Superintendent Martin Lakari says warring tribesmen from two tribes armed with high-powered guns started killing each other using guerilla tactics and ambushes.
He says the fighting has reached the Western Highlands and destroyed a local primary school and health centre.
Superintendent Laki says a huge proportion of the male population was wiped out thirty years ago when the fighting started and he has asked local MPs to assist police in ending the clashes.
A Papua New Guinea police vehicle Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades