JAKARTA: An Indonesian soldier was shot dead and two separatist rebels killed in clashes with security forces near the giant Grasberg copper mine in Papua operated by Freeport McMoRan Inc, an Indonesian military spokesman said on Tuesday. A separatist group, however, said that only one of its members had died and that dozens of Indonesian troops were killed in clashes that began on Sunday. Drone footage showed two separatists were killed and dozens wounded in the clash, he said. Hendrikus Uwamang, a spokesman for the group, said at least 28 Indonesian security personnel and several guides were also killed in the clash. Members of Indonesia’s security forces have been accused by rights activists of abducting and torturing Papuans and using deadly force to quell protests.

Source: New Strait Times April 03, 2018 06:45 UTC