Rebels in Indonesia's Papua kill eight, military says

The ⁠West Papua National Liberation Army, an ​armed separatist group, claimed responsibility for the killings in a statement on Thursday, saying the victims were military intelligence officers disguised as gold miners.

The rebel group called ⁠on the government ‌to ​stop sending military officers to Papua disguised as gold ​miners or ‌taxi drivers.

Arthadiguna denied the rebels' claim ​the victims were security officers, and said authorities are on the hunt for the perpetrators. After ​the ​attacks, Yahukimo ​was dangerous but under control, he ‌added.

Resource-rich Papua, home to the world's second-largest gold and copper mine, has been beset by a simmering separatist movement since it was brought ​under Indonesian control following a 1969 vote overseen ​by the ⁠United Nations.