JAKARTA – Two pilots were killed after a small aircraft was shot at upon landing at Karowai Airstrip in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua province, local media reported on Wednesday.
The aircraft, operated by Smart Air with registration number PK-SNR, departed from Tanah Merah in Boven Digoel and was fired upon at around 11:00 am local time after arriving at the airstrip, according to Antara news agency.
Faizal Rahmadani, head of operations of the Damai Cartenz Task Force, said the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the incident.
“From the reports received, it was revealed that the pilot and co-pilot died in the incident, while the condition of the 13 passengers is still uncertain,” said Rahmadani.
The identity of the group responsible for the shooting remains under investigation, he added.