Indonesian general: Papuan separatists not involved in Timika shootings

"Yes, this is what people should know, the shooting incidents
were the work of criminal gangs who were sent to Papua to
disturb security in the region," he said on the sidelines of a
fast-breaking gathering in Jakarta on 9 September 2009.

Purnomo said his side was continuously coordinating with the
police to overcome various security challenges in the region
including the shooting incidents in the PT Freeport mine area.

In the latest such incident, which took place on Wednesday [9
Sep 09] morning, gunmen shot at a car carrying the Commander of
the Tembagapura Military Sub-district [Capt Rodiko Nainggolan]
at Mile 41.

"It is possible that members of GPK ['Destabilising Elements']
have been on location before or after the party passed," he said.

He said Papua is one of the vulnerable regions that needed to be
given special attention and admitted the Army was having
difficulties locating the criminals due to a lack of knowledge
of the area.

"They know the area a lot better than we do and therefore it is
difficult to find them," he said.