Jakarta (ANTARA) - The pilot and first officer of a Smart Air flight were killed in a suspected armed attack while landing at Koroway Batu Airport in South Papua’s Boven Digoel District on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. local time, the plane landed and was immediately fired upon,” said Lukman F. Laisa, director general of Air Transport at the Transportation Ministry, in a written statement.
The aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan with registration PK-SNR, was flying from Tanah Merah Airport to Koroway Batu Airport, he confirmed.
“The flight had two crew members, 12 adult passengers, and an infant,” Laisa said, adding that all passengers survived unharmed.
The directorate general is coordinating with local airport authorities and promised updates as the investigation continues.
In response, the Indonesian Police said officers from the 2026 Peace Cartenz Operation will be deployed to investigate the attack.
“The Papuan Police and Peace Cartenz officers are coordinating to respond to the incident,” Inspector General Jhonny Edison Isir, head of police public relations, said, noting geographical and access challenges.
Papua Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito confirmed the victims’ names: pilot Egon Erawan and first officer Baskoro.
Armed groups linked to the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics targeting security personnel and civilians to spread fear.
Their attacks have included construction workers, teachers, motorcycle taxi drivers, street vendors, and civilian aircraft.
In a high-profile case, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group on February 7, 2023, in Highland Papua’s Nduga District.
Mehrtens was ambushed shortly after landing, held for over a year, and released in September 2024.
