Eighteen separatists killed in Papua region, says Indonesian military
Indonesia's military has killed 18 Papuan separatists during an operation in its easternmost region of Papua, an official said on Thursday, and three civilians also died.
The military seized dozens of munitions, including an assault rifle, bows and arrows and an unspecified homemade weapon during Wednesday's operation, military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi said.
The Indonesian military sustained no casualties.
A spokesperson for the Papua separatists Sebby Sambom said three of their members had died.
Three civilians were killed during the shoot-out between rebels and soldiers, a prominent church group with a chapter in Papua said, citing local church reports. Nearly 1,000 people have been evacuated.
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