Indonesia's military says armed separatists in the nation's easternmost province of Highland Papua have killed eight civilians.
Military official M Wirya Arthadiguna condemned the killing of eight civilians working in the Yahukimo region as gold miners, adding the evacuation of their bodies was under way.
The West Papua National Liberation Army, an armed separatist group, claimed responsibility for the killings in a statement on Thursday, saying the victims were military intelligence officers disguised as gold miners.
The rebel group called on the government to stop sending military officers to Papua disguised as gold miners or taxi drivers.
Arthadiguna denied the rebels' claim the victims were security officers, and said authorities are on the hunt for the perpetrators. After the attacks, Yahukimo was dangerous but under control, he added.
Resource-rich Papua, home to the world's second-largest gold and copper mine, has been beset by a simmering separatist movement since it was brought under Indonesian control following a 1969 vote overseen by the United Nations.
