64 bodies were discovered along a stretch of road near the town of Wabag in Papua New Guinea, News About Nigeria reports.
The victims are believed to be tribal fighters who were ambushed by a rival group in the early hours of Sunday.
Sikin, Ambulin, Kaekin, and other rival tribes have all carried out tit-for-tat mass massacres in this lawless and dangerous environment.
Corpses that have been stripped and covered in blood are seen piled up on a flatbed truck and lying by the side of the road in graphic police photos obtained from the site.
Some victims had their limbs cut off, and others were left naked by the road with beer bottles or cans placed on their chests.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Samson Kua, bodies were still being recovered from the forest near the road, and gunfights were still going on in the other valleys.
Although clan conflicts have a long history in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, the arrival of mercenaries with automatic weapons has escalated the bloodshed and fueled a cycle of revenge.
The gunmen involved in the recent incident reportedly used a variety of weapons, including SLR, AK-47, M4, AR15, and M16 rifles, along with pump-action shotguns and homemade firearms.
Acting police commander Patrick Peka revealed that many of the deceased were believed to be mercenaries – people who travel the countryside offering assistance to tribes seeking revenge against their rivals.
The situation is still serious despite government efforts to reduce violence through amnesties for firearms, mediation, suppression, and other tactics.
Approximately 100 military troops have been deployed to the area, but they face challenges in addressing the outnumbered and outgunned security services.
The killings typically occur in remote communities, with attackers launching raids or ambushes in retaliation for prior assaults.
