28 Nov 2016

2 killed after ambush on MPs' convoy in PNG's Hela

From , 4:04 pm on 28 November 2016

Two people were killed in Papua New Guinea's Highlands region after an ambush on a convoy carrying two national MPs in Hela province.

Last Tuesday the Hela Governor, Francis Potape, was travelling through Komo with the Higher Education Minister Francis Marus, when their convoy came upon a blockade.

The MPs' vehicle was forced to turnaround, although a man in another of the convoy's vehicles was identified as an enemy by the tribesmen manning the blockade.

The MPs got away unhurt but two people died in the subsequent shootout and a policeman was injured.

Hela's provincial police commander, Michael Welly, told Johnny Blades about the attack on the convoy.

Hela province, Papua New Guinea.

Hela province, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades