JAKARTA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian military said it has regained control of a village in the country's eastern province of Central Papua following a clash with armed separatists earlier this week.
According to a statement issued on Friday, the firefight took place in Soanggama village, Intan Jaya regency, at around 5:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, leaving 14 rebels dead.
Iwan Dwi Prihartono, a military spokesperson, said the confrontation occurred when army personnel were conducting a patrol in the area, which had been under the control of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
The patrol aimed to free villagers from the armed group, he said, adding that the military has since established a tactical post in the village. ■
