PNG: 8 dead in school fete shoot-out

PORT MORESBY - Eight Papua New Guineans are dead, one beheaded and publicly displayed, while a notorious criminal and ring leader of the attack is on the run after a school fete shoot out.

Four people were killed at the fete on Friday and the other four deaths came over the weekend and on Monday when villagers retaliated during the battle in PNG's Eastern Highlands Province (EHP).

Police told PNG's National newspaper the trouble started when the gang attacked people at the fete attended by up to 4000 locals. Four villagers were killed while women and children were injured.

One eye witness told PNG's Post Courier a drunk gang member interrupted the speeches then produced a handgun and shot dead a village court magistrate.

EHP police commander Augustine Wampe confirmed the eight deaths, four from Tafesa village.

"The (Tafesa) villagers (then) beheaded a gang member and hung his head on a power pole," he said.

Police believe the gang was led by the province's most wanted man Patrick Sira, who recently featured on local television show Crime Stoppers.

Sira is wanted for a string of robberies, rapes and murders after escaping police custody earlier this year.

Police said vigilantes from the Tafesa village managed to capture, kill and decapitate Sira's "lieutenant". Three other gang members were then subsequently killed.

However, Sira who is believed to be wounded, managed to escape.

Police are still looking for him.

- AAP