Gunmen attack leaves two officers in hospital

Two members of the reserve police unit in Pogera, Enga, are in hospital after they were ambushed by gunmen on Sunday, according to police.
Enga’s acting police commander Chief Supt George Kakas said one of the reservists was shot in the leg while the other suffered a stroke when they were attacked near Wali Creek, several kilometres away from the mining township.
The reservists in five patrol cars were going to investigate the aftermath of a violent confrontation between two tribes when they were attacked with automatic weapons, but no major injuries or fatalities were reported, Kakas said.
He said a bullet presumably fired from a high-powered rifle penetrated a patrol car and injured the officer’s leg. The other reservist now in hospital suffered a stroke.
The two men were flown to Wabag hospital and are now recovering.
Kakas said the incident had culminated from a stand-off between two tribes who were claiming ownership of the Mount Kare land where the Pogera mine is currently situated.
A tribe embroiled in this feud allegedly attacked villagers from a neighbouring tribe, setting fire to some houses at Wali Creek.
Kakas said the reserve police officers and mine security personnel were dispatched to check on the safety of power pylons and water supply facilities when they were ambushed by gunmen from the surrounding mountains.
A peace and good order meeting was convened yesterday involving the provincial government, police and representatives of the Porgera mine.
A mobile squad comprising officers from Bulolo, Morobe, and Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, was deployed to Pogera, but Kakas wants local authorities to arrange more vehicles for Enga police to attend to the situation.