A public transport driver from Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, named Rusli (40), was shot dead by Papuan separatists in Paniai Regency, Central Papua Province, West Papua Indonesia. Rusli was shot while driving and the car was set on fire by Papuan separatists.

The shooting was recorded in a video taken by Papuan separatists. In the video, three of the 6 Papuan separatist members confirm the victim’s condition after being shot.

One member of the Papuan separatists was on the right side of the car opening the door, while two other members of the Papuan separatists looked through the car window. Apart from that, three other members were far from the car while monitoring the surrounding area.

It can be seen that the six Papuan separatist members were carrying long-barreled firearms. The location of the incident was also near a residential area, but it was quiet.

One Papuan separatist member reported the incident after successfully carrying out the shooting. The six members of the Papuan separatists screamed with joy, celebrating their heinous deed. Next, the victim’s car was burned and they left the location.

The incident occurred in Timida Village, East Paniai District, Paniai Regency, Tuesday (6/11/2024) at around 13.30 WIT. The perpetrators opened fire, causing the local community to panic.

“The perpetrator of this shooting and arson was Papuan separatist Intan Jaya led by Undius Kogoya who had been carrying out criminal acts in Paniai Regency,” said Head of Cartenz Peace Operations Kombes Faizal Ramadhani in his statement, Tuesday (6/11/2024).

The victim’s body was evacuated to Timika to be returned to his hometown. Rusli’s body arrived at Timika’s Mosez Kilangin Airport at around 08.25 WIT this morning using a Reven PK RVV plane and continued the journey using a Lion Air plane.

“Daeng Rusli’s body was flown to his hometown in Bulusibatang, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi Province using a Lion Air plane,” said Cartenz 2024 Peace Ops Public Relations Officer Bayu Suseno in his statement, Wednesday (6/12).