JAKARTA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) — Indonesian police have suspected that members of an armed criminal group were behind a deadly shooting attack on a Smart Air plane at Korowai Airport in Boven Digoel regency, South Papua province, local media reported on Thursday.
Yusuf Sutejo, spokesperson for the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, said preliminary indications suggested that the perpetrators were affiliated with the armed criminal group elements from Yahukimo, specifically factions known as the “Batalion Kanibal” and “Semut Merah.”
However, he said authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the individual suspects, noting that security personnel are still pursuing those believed to be responsible for the attack.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the plane was shot at shortly after landing at the airport. The gunfire was reportedly directed from a nearby forested area.
According to police, the pilot and co-pilot managed to send an emergency message to flight operations officers, reporting that the aircraft was under fire. The situation quickly turned chaotic, with crew members and passengers scrambling to evacuate and seek safety. The pilot and co-pilot later died in the attack.
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