A small passenger plane belonging to Smart Air Airlines was shot at by unidentified individuals shortly after landing in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua Province, resulting in the deaths of two pilots.
The incident occurred at around 11 a.m. local time on the 11th, shortly after the plane landed at an airport in Boven Digoel Regency. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation confirmed that the aircraft was fired upon by unidentified individuals. Local police subsequently confirmed that the two pilots on board unfortunately lost their lives in the incident.
In addition, the Indonesian National Police headquarters pointed out that preliminary information shows that all 13 passengers on board are safe. Police have deployed a special task force to the scene to further verify the situation and carry out subsequent response work.
It is reported that the passengers and pilots fled into the forest, but the two pilots were eventually found by the gunmen and taken back to the airport where they were killed. The identities of the perpetrators are still under further investigation.
South Papua Province was established in 2022 after being separated from the former Papua Province.