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At least 11 killed in Papua New Guinea tribal fighting

Thursday, 16 July 2015 9:44 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 16 July 2015 9:43 AM ]

The file photo of an isolated jungle in Papua New Guinea.

At least 11 people have been killed and many more injured in a deadly fight between two tribes in a remote jungle in Papua New Guinea.

Two children and a pregnant woman were among the dead, according to the state PNG Post-Courier on Thursday.

During the battle, high-powered guns were used to attack villages that are only accessible by helicopter.

The fight took place between the Kukurin and the Yapetalin tribes in the province of the Western Highlands in the western part of the Pacific nation.

“I’m bringing this bloody tribal fight to the attention of the general public because it is taking place in a remote part of the country which is only accessible by helicopter and nothing is being done to stop the loss of innocent lives,” said the Western Highlands Police Commander Superintendent Martin Lakari.

According to the official, “that is why law enforcement agencies have not done much,” to stop the fighting.

The latest tribal fighting between indigenous people of that region comes after the Kukurin tribe attacked the Yapetalin tribe in retaliation for five of their members being killed in June.

It was not clear, however, what sparked that clash, but local media say that fighting in that part of Papua New Guinea has been going on for 30 years.

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Papua New Guinea