Jayapura. At least three construction workers were shot dead by an armed group in Puncak Jaya district, Papua, on Tuesday (15/03) afternoon, police said.

The employees of construction firm Modern, tasked with building Jalan Trans Papua, were identified as Anis Tiku, Andi Domena and David. The three were killed during an armed attack at around 1.35 p.m. local time.

Another worker, Daud, is in critical condition, while seven others managed to escape the shooting unscathed.

An excavator and a bulldozer were burned during the attack.

“We can confirm that there has been a shooting targeting Modern workers,” said Puncak Jaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Marcelis, as reported by Antara news agency.

Marcelis believes that the Yambi militant group was behind the attack.

A Modern employee who declined to be named said that two workers named Kopi and Yukinus had been taken hostage during the assault.

"Forty police and military personnel have been deployed to the scene," said Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw as quoted by Tempo.

Yambi, also known as the Tenggang Mati group, is one of six armed militant groups who live and operate in the districts of Puncak and Puncak Jaya.

It was allegedly responsible for several attacks in the two districts, including the latest assault in Mulia subdistrict on Jan. 26, killing six civilians.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.