At least 13 civilians died during an operation by the army in Kulipapa village near Juba on Monday, Jubek State Minister of local government and Law enforcement has said.

Kulipapa is located 38 miles west of Juba, along Juba-Yei Road.

Isaac Ribek Benjamin says the incident happened during a search by security forces for people who went missing on Sunday while on their way from Yei to Juba.

In the Sunday incident, the attackers took six travelers as hostages and commandeered the car.

“So on the following day, the army went there in search for the car,” Mr Ribek explained to Eye Radio.

“And I think that resulted in the cause of the incident in which more than 13 people were shot dead. They were civilians, not soldiers; [They’re] women and children.”

Mr Isaac says some state officials are going to the area for investigations.

For his part, the SPLA spokesperson, Brigadier Lul Ruai said “I’ve no information on that”.

“I’m yet to contact the operations department,” Brig Lul added.

The Jubek Minister of Information in Jubek, Salah Rajaf Bunduki, also confirmed the incident to Eye Radio, but said he had no details.