Indonesia: Shooting incident occurred in Tembagapura, Mimika, Papua, Jan. 6

Event

Unknown armed men reportedly shot a commercial helicopter hired by the mining company PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in Tsinga, Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency, Papua Province, Jan. 6. The incident occurred when a foreign citizen was flying the helicopter to conduct PTFI's survey activities. Authorities attributed the incident to armed groups operating in the area.

The incident site is around 50 km (31 miles) northeast of Timika

Context

Armed organizations are active in Papua and West Papua provinces, including in Mimika Regency, pointing to the continued tension between the Papuan people and Indonesian authorities. Reasons for the tension include the Papuan peoples' claims that the Indonesian central government racially discriminates against Papuans, that it does not sufficiently develop the provinces' infrastructure, and that it is working with international corporations to exploit resources without benefiting the locals. The armed groups typically target Indonesian soldiers and police officers, as well as workers and facilities of PTFI.