Jayapura, July 23 -- A joint Indonesian military and police team has evacuated two of three civilians killed in a shooting allegedly carried out by an armed criminal group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, on Monday (July 20), a police officer said Thursday.

"The bodies of the married couple were taken to Dekai Regional Hospital and will be handed over to their families for burial," Yahukimo Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zet Saalino said.

The evacuation was hampered by strong currents in the Brazza River, which rescuers had to cross to reach the site, Saalino said.

The team will resume its search Friday, July 24, to evacuate the third victim, a woman, he said, adding that the victims were local residents who had...