Authorities in Papua New Guinea say 15 people were killed in fighting between two tribal groups last week.

The fighting occurred last Friday in the town of Kainantu in the Pacific nation's Eastern Highland province. Local police say the Agarabi tribe blamed another tribe, the Kamano, for the death of one of its men and attacked a Kamano settlement in retaliation.

The settlement was burned to the ground, and 14 Kamano tribesmen were killed in the ambush.

The official says 100 policemen have been stationed in Kainantu and will occupy the town for about three months.