Jayapura, Oct. 8 -- Indonesia's security forces have tightened security in Mangoldolki Village, Pegunungan Bintang District, Highland Papua Province, following an arson attack by an armed group that targeted a public school, officials said.

The group, identified as KKB Ngalum Kupel, allegedly set fire to SMP Negeri Kiwirok in Sopamikma Village, Kiwirok Subdistrict, at around 7:45 a.m. local time (GMT+9) on Tuesday, according to Brig. Gen. Faizal Rahmadani, head of Operation Peace Cartenz.

"Sixteen unidentified individuals were seen torching the school building," Rahmadani said in Jayapura.

The attack occurred near SD Negeri Kiwirok, a primary school previously targeted by the same group. A joint TNI-Polri team was deployed to the area,...