Police arrest alleged mastermind of Abepura attack

"The initial evidence indicates they committed violent actions, and we are going to process another person suspected of having provoked the attackers," Bambang said to Antara state-news agency.

Bambang said the attackers were members of an armed group but refused to link them to the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

"No, we don't want to mention it [OPM]. They were definitely members of an armed group which violated the law, so we will be taking action," he said.

The group's members were responsible for other brazen attacks, the general said.

"They have been committing violent attacks for some time now. Prior to the legislative elections, they attacked a post command and killed a military figure. They had planned these attacks," he said.

The Indonesian Police earlier named six suspects and interrogated eight others as witnesses concerning the several incidences of violence in Abepura.

Last Thursday, a number of unidentified attackers assaulted settlers in Wamena, Jayawijaya, Papua. Two people were killed and several others injured in the incident.

A police post at the Mutung border, between Papua and Papua New Guinea, also came under fire from unknown attackers.

The latest incident occurred Sunday evening, when a bomb exploded near the Abepura police office. No one was injured in the blast.