At least 26 fighters and an unconfirmed number of bystanders were killed in a shootout between two warring tribes in Papua New Guinea. Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that members of a tribe, their allies and mercenaries attacked a neighboring tribal community in the South Pacific nation’s remote Inga province on Sunday. They were going to attack when they were ambushed. Police Commissioner David Manning later described the incident as a shootout between two warring tribes.
Manning said an unconfirmed number of villagers were also killed. The officer said that police force has been sent to the spot. “At this time we cannot say clearly what extent the conflict has reached. But the most important thing is to establish our presence in the conflict zone and work to deal with such incidents by gaining control. The caucus initially reported 53 people killed but security forces later put the death toll at 26,” Manning told ABC.
The caucus said bodies were recovered from the scene, roads and river banks and taken to hospitals in police trucks. He said that security personnel are still searching for those who were shot, injured and those who ran towards the bushes. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government is ready to help Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbor and is the largest recipient of Australian foreign aid. Albanese said, “The news that has come from Papua New Guinea is very disturbing.
