2 pilots killed after plane shot at while landing in Indonesia

ISTANBUL

Two pilots were killed after a small plane was shot at while landing Wednesday at an airstrip in Indonesia’s South Papua province, local media reported.

The aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan operated by Smart Air with registration number PK-SNR, departed from Tanah Merah in the Boven Digoel Regency.

It was shot at while landing at the Karowai Airstrip in the Boven Digoel Regency at around 11.05 am (0205GMT), according to state-run Antara news agency.

“The flight had two crew members, 12 adult passengers, and an infant,” Lukman F. Laisa, director general of Air Transport at the Transportation Ministry, said in a statement, adding that all passengers survived unharmed.

Separately, Faizal Rahmadani, head of operations of the Damai Cartenz Task Force, said the pilot and co-pilot were killed, according to Kompas TV.

Rahmadani said troops were deployed in the area from outside Papua as part of strengthening security and investigations.

He added that an investigation is underway to reveal the identity of the group responsible for the shooting.

ISTANBUL

Two pilots were killed after a small plane was shot at while landing Wednesday at an airstrip in Indonesia’s South Papua province, local media reported.

The aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan operated by Smart Air with registration number PK-SNR, departed from Tanah Merah in the Boven Digoel Regency.

It was shot at while landing at the Karowai Airstrip in the Boven Digoel Regency at around 11.05 am (0205GMT), according to state-run Antara news agency.

Separately, Faizal Rahmadani, head of operations of the Damai Cartenz Task Force, said the pilot and co-pilot were killed, according to Kompas TV.

Rahmadani said troops were deployed in the area from outside Papua as part of strengthening security and investigations.

He added that an investigation is underway to reveal the identity of the group responsible for the shooting.