Sinak – The Armed Criminal Group (KKB) has acted again by shooting the Smart Air PK-SNH plane carrying 5 passengers at Sinak Airport, Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua on Monday (8/7/2024) around at 11.40 WIT.
Head of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops Public Relations Task Force, Police Commissioner Dr. Bayu Suseno, S.H., S.I.K., M.M., M.H., confirmed the incident. He explained that the shooting occurred when the plane was about to land at the airport.
“The shooting occurred at around 11.40 WIT, and hit the plane’s propeller blade, but fortunately there were no casualties in this incident. “The plane pilot swiftly decided to continue landing at Sinak Airport and wait for a safe situation to return to Nabire,” said Commissioner Bayu.
Bayu continued, at 11.55 WIT, the second plane from the NGA airline which took off from Timika successfully landed in Sinak in a safe condition. After the situation became conducive, the Smart Air and NGA planes, whose departure had been delayed, managed to return to their original destinations, namely Nabire and Mimika.
Not only the plane, Kombes Bayu also said that the KKB again fired shots at the Battalion 751 Logistics Warehouse Post, but the members managed to respond, resulting in a gunfight.
“After carrying out the shooting, the joint forces immediately responded by chasing the group,” he added.
The shooting incident of the Smart Air plane adds to the long list of acts of violence carried out by the KKB in Papua. In the last few months, the KKB has increasingly carried out attacks on security forces and civilians.
Kasatgas emphasized that security forces continue to strive to take action against the perpetrators and ensure security in the area. Patrols and security operations continue to be tightened to prevent another KKB action from occurring.
“The public is advised to remain alert and report to security forces if they see suspicious activity,” concluded the Head of the Public Relations Task Force.
