Three shot, injured

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THREE Asian men are nursing serious injuries after they were shot then slashed by six armed men at the Ialibu Station, Southern Highlands, on Sunday.
The morning attack on the three men lasted for a couple of minutes as the armed men went through a shop known as K-Market, ransacking it and robbing items.
Two of the suspects were captured by police, one at the Jackson Airport domestic terminal in Port Moresby and the other in Mendi town.
The victims had to take themselves to the health centre and then to the station to report the matter.
Southern Highlands police commander Supt Martin Lakari told The National that the attack occurred at around 9.30am on Sunday at Ialibu Station which was empty as people were at church.
“The six men arrived by a vehicle, entered the store and proceeded to attack the three men, they were shot, then slashed by the intruders before the intruders left with an undisclosed amount of money and items,” he said.
“We have yet to confirm what were taken from the shop because the complainants have yet to give information.
“The three men took themselves to the station and health centre to be treated before they were taken to the Mt Hagen General Hospital that same day.
“The trio were then medevaced to the Port Moresby General Hospital on Monday morning where they are currently being monitored.”
Supt Lakari said police were still looking for the other four suspects.
“I want to appeal to the shop owners in the province not to operate during Sundays as this is when the streets are empty and many of the officers take a day off to rest or attend church service,” he said.
Supt Lakari thanked NCD police for assisting in the arrest of one of the suspects.
Samuel Raitano, a journalist from Ialibu-Pangia, said the recent attack at the Ialibu Station had raised concerns on law and order situation in the town area.
“This is not the first time criminal activities have been perpetrated at Ialibu Station right under the nose of police,” he said.
“Among other previous law and order problems in Ialibu town, we had a group of villagers clashing with soldiers earlier this year.”