P

apua Police chief Insp. Gen. Yotje Mende acknowledged that a police officer, First Brig. Arif Sumahendra, had been shot by unidentified persons in Dagokebo village, West Tigi district, Deiyai regency.

'€œCorrect, First Brig. Arif, who was on duty at Paniai Police station, was shot by unidentified persons as he was on his way from Paniai to Dogiai on Wednesday,'€ Antara news agency quoted Mende as saying in Jayapura on Wednesday.

'€œThe victim was shot as he was passing through Dagokebo village on a motorcycle wearing plain clothes. He was shot in the back. The bullet likely pierced his stomach,'€ said Mende, adding the victim was currently being treated at Enarotali Hospital.

According to him, the victim would be evacuated to Jayapura for further treatment with adequate equipment and facilities at the police hospital.

Mende said the police remained unclear which group had perpetrated the shooting.