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AYAPURA: Five soldiers were wounded in a gunfight with a group of armed people in Puncak Jaya, Papua, on Tuesday.

The five, who were evacuated to Jayapura, were identified as Jefry Satria, Nahor Awate, Heiberd Rivo Sipir, Sitorus and Manuel. Most of them were shot on the arms.

They were reportedly raiding a group of Free Papua Movement (OPM) members under Goliat Tubuni in Monia village, Tingginambut district, when they met with opposition.

“Gunfire later took place, and five soldiers were wounded,” a source who requested anonymity told The Jakarta Post.

Cendrawasih Military Command denied that the soldiers had been wounded in an exchange of fire with armed civilians. “They attacked the soldiers who were carrying out social work. It’s unacceptable,” intelligence officer Imam Santoso said in a text message to the Post.

The incident came two days after three soldiers were shot while patrolling the area Sunday.

The military has been carrying out non-combat social work since May and has been attacked by armed civilians 10 times.

On May 25, a soldier had his rifle stolen and he was shot in the head at close range.