Global perspective Human stories

UN captures suspect in deadly minibus attack in Timor-Leste

UN captures suspect in deadly minibus attack in Timor-Leste

The United Nations peacekeeping force (PKF) in Timor-Leste today captured a man suspected of involvement in the recent deadly attacks on vehicles near the border with West Timor.

According to the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), the man was wounded and captured during an early evening gun battle as Fijian troops conducting a search came across a group of armed men trying to cross the Mota Loes river.

The detainee was taken to a hospital under guard, but the other eight or nine members of the group fled, attempting to cross the river. Tracking patrols supported by armoured personnel carriers and a light observation helicopter pursued the men who fled the scene.

The capture was part of the PKF's extensive "cordon and search" operation supporting a local investigation into Monday's armed attacks on a minibus and a truck near the border with West Timor that left one passenger dead and three seriously injured, the UN mission said.