Indonesian military to deploy 600 troops to safeguard U.S. mining firm's workers

At least 600 military troops would be deployed to help the police safeguard workers of PT Freeport McMoran Indonesia (FMI) mining firm who have been the target of shootings attacks in Indonesia's Papua province, Papua chapter military commander Ahmad Yani Nasution said Monday.

"Those army troops would commence their service on Sept. 2," Ahmad was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency.

Ahmad said that the troops deployment plan was a response to the police's asking.

According to the military commander, the troops will be tasked to secure the workers from being attacked by the shooters who he alleged came from the separatist group Papua Independence Movement (OPM).

Ahmad said that the separatist group is responsible for the frequent unrest and insecurity that occurred around the world's largest copper and gold mining site operated by FMI.

Spate of shootings to the buses ad vehicles boarded by Freeport' s workers have killed a number of the firm's workers and police who safeguarded those workers in the last few months. Police had arrested suspects who were allegedly responsible for the attacks.

Ahmad said that the troops deployment was aimed at making sure the order and security in the area be restored. He did not reveal the time on when those troops would be withdrawn from the assignment.