12 gunmen killed in Kimbe shootout after armed robbery, PNG police say

West New Britain governor voices frustration over violent crime, backs call to classify criminal groups as terrorists

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Papua New Guinea police have confirmed the deaths of 12 men who they say staged an armed robbery at a tradestore in Kimbe, West New Britain, on Monday and then opened fire on officers while attempting to flee. West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said the public is deeply frustrated with repeated armed robberies and violent crime, and supports a call to officially categorise criminal groups as terrorists.

Police Commissioner David Manning said the armed group's vehicle rolled over as they tried to escape police, resulting in the deaths of several passengers. Those not seriously injured then drew weapons and fired on police, according to Manning. "Police standing orders and the law are clear - when a criminal raises a weapon they will be stopped," Manning said in a statement. "A total of 12 gunmen died in the incident, while one man, believed to be the ringleader of the group, survived and is in police custody."

Governor Muthuvel told RNZ Pacific it was unfortunate lives were lost but noted the group fired on police. He said the people of the province are frustrated at the surge in activity by criminal groups known as 'raskols'. "A lot of genuine people are being hurt and killed also in these kind of holdups by these raskols because they don't know how to use firearms," Muthuvel said, adding that innocent bystanders including mothers and young people have been killed. He said some members of the public have themselves attacked armed robbers in recent incidents, reflecting community frustration.

Muthuvel said public motor vehicles (PMVs) are frequently targeted because they must slow down for potholes. Passengers, particularly women, are robbed and physically abused. He noted it was fortunate that a Police Mobile Squad was already in the area attending to another incident. Muthuvel said he supports a call in parliament this month by Oro Province Governor Gary Juffa for criminal groups to be officially categorised as terrorists.

Police Minister John Pundari commended officers who confronted criminals in two armed robberies over the past four days, including an incident last Friday when a lone officer shot and killed one gunman after a PMV robbery near Kimbe. "These incidents demonstrate that police will respond forcefully to remove firearms who elect to use illegal firearms," Pundari said. He urged people to surrender illegal firearms under the current amnesty without fear of prosecution.

RSS

The Daily Edition

The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The shootout highlights escalating gun violence and lawlessness in Papua New Guinea, particularly in remote provinces where criminal groups operate with relative impunity.
The frustration voiced by Governor Muthuvel reflects growing public anger and the risk of vigilante violence if the state does not restore order.
The call to designate criminal groups as terrorists could reshape policing and legal responses, but also raises questions about civil liberties in a country with weak institutions.

Background

Papua New Guinea has struggled with 'raskol' gangs and tribal violence for decades. Illegal firearms, many homemade, are widespread. The government has periodically declared crackdowns and offered firearm amnesties, but the problem persists. The Porgera gold mine, in neighbouring Enga Province, has seen deadly violence in recent months. The police force is under-resourced and often criticised for heavy-handed tactics.

Key Perspectives

Sasindran Muthuvel (West New Britain Governor): Says the public is frustrated by repeated armed robberies and violent crime, and supports calls to classify criminal groups as terrorists to protect innocent communities. David Manning (Police Commissioner): States that police followed standing orders and the law when they engaged the armed group after the vehicle rollover, and that criminals who raise weapons will be stopped. John Pundari (Police Minister): Commends the swift intervention of police in the Kimbe incidents, says police will respond forcefully to illegal firearms, and urges people to take advantage of the firearm amnesty.

What to Watch

Whether parliament formally debates and votes on declaring criminal groups as terrorist entities, following Governor Juffa's proposal.
The outcome of the firearm amnesty and whether it leads to a significant reduction in illegal weapons.
Any further confrontations between police and criminal groups in West New Britain and other provinces.

Sources

Twelve dead in PNG after car rollover and police shootout · ABC News
'People are being hurt': West New Britain governor speaks out as 12 gunmen killed in Kimbe shootout · RNZ New Zealand Headlines

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPolice said 12 gunmen died in the Kimbe incident.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““A total of 12 gunmen died in the incident, while one man, believed to be the ringleader of the group, survived and is in police custody.””
SupportedThe men staged an armed robbery at a Kimbe tradestore on Monday.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “police confirmed the death of 12 men who they say staged an armed robbery at a tradestore in West New Britain’s capital Kimbe on Monday.”
SupportedThe group fired on police while trying to flee.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “He said those not seriously injured in the vehicle roll-over subsequently drew weapons and chose to open fire on police.”
SupportedMuthuvel said the public is deeply frustrated with repeated armed robberies and other violent crime.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Papua New Guinea’s West New Britain province governor Sasindran Muthuvel says the public is deeply frustrated with repeated armed robberies and other violent crime.”
SupportedMuthuvel supports a call to officially categorise criminal groups as terrorists.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Muthuvel said he supports a call in parliament this month by Oro Province governor Gary Juffa for criminal groups to be officially categorised as terrorists.”
SupportedManning said the group’s vehicle rolled while they tried to escape, killing several passengers.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Police Commissioner David Manning said that while attempting to escape police, the armed group’s vehicle rolled, resulting in the death of a number of passengers.”
SupportedManning said, “Police standing orders and the law are clear - when a criminal raises a weapon they will be stopped.”RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““Police standing orders and the law are clear - when a criminal raises a weapon they will be stopped,” Manning said in a statement.”
SupportedMuthuvel said people are being hurt and killed in holdups because raskols do not know how to use firearms.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““A lot of genuine people are being hurt and killed also in these kind of holdups by these raskols because they don’t know how to use firearms, or these are homemade guns.””
SupportedMuthuvel said PMVs are often held up because they slow down for potholes, and passengers are robbed and physically abused.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “PMVs are easy to hold up, Muthuvel said, because they frequently have to drive slowly to navigate the many potholes on local roads.”
SupportedPundari said police confronted criminals in two armed robberies over the past four days, including a Friday PMV robbery near Kimbe in which one gunman was killed after an exchange of gunfire with a lone officer.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““This follows an event last Friday when a group of gunmen robbed a PMV near Kimbe, and were confronted by a lone Police Officer. Following an exchange of gunfire, one gunman was killed while the remainder ran away into the bush.””
SupportedPundari urged people to surrender illegal firearms under the amnesty without fear of prosecution.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““The firearm amnesty provides a clear opportunity for people to surrender illegal firearms without fear of prosecution, and they should take advantage of it.””