Jakarta, Aug. 7 -- The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) confirmed on Thursday that Mayer Wenda alias Kuloi Wonda, a rebel leader of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), was slain while resisting arrest in Highland Papua province.

According to a TNI press release, TNI personnel laid an ambush for Wenda in Mukoni sub-district, Lanny Jaya district, Highland Papua, on Tuesday.

Wenda, who resisted arrest, exchanged fire with the Indonesian officers before being fatally shot along with another person, identified as his brother.

According to head of the TNI Information Office, Major General Kristomei Sianturi, Wenda-known to be the deputy commander of an OPM military command in Lanny Jaya-had been on the TNI's wanted list for over a decade.

"Mayer ...