Cartenz Task Force Identifies 2 Suspects in Smart Air Aircraft Shooting
The Cartenz Peace Task Force has identified two of the 20 perpetrators involved in the shooting of Smart Air aircraft PK-SNR at Karowai Airstrip, Yahukimo Regency, Papua.
“Of the 20 individuals, we have been able to identify two people whose names we cannot yet disclose here. It is believed they may flee towards Yahukimo, as Korowai Batu Airport is closer to Yahukimo than to Tanah Merah in Boven Digoel,” said Cartenz Peace Task Force Public Relations Chief Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo on Monday (15/2).
According to Yusuf, based on witness and survivor testimonies, it is estimated that three to four long-barrelled firearms were used by the perpetrators, whilst others carried bladed weapons such as spears, arrows and machetes.
Yusuf stated that the armed groups operating in the Yahukimo area are estimated to number approximately 200 individuals, spread across several small groups.
He also revealed that from January through to last week, 23 cases of violence allegedly committed by the group had been recorded, with a pattern of actions assessed as being aimed at demonstrating their existence and attracting attention.
Yusuf reported that over the past two days, authorities had detained four individuals. Two of them have been confirmed to be involved in a number of violent acts, identified by the initials GW and EH, whilst the involvement of the other two is still under investigation.
“From the investigation results, suspect GW was involved in the shooting of a Mobile Brigade member on 30 November 2022 and the shooting of a lorry driver on 30 January 2026. Meanwhile, suspect EH was involved in the burning of a school,” he said.
“GW and EH have been confirmed as members of the armed criminal group from the Sisibia faction,” he added.
Previously, the Smart Air aircraft carrying 13 passengers was shot at whilst landing at Koroway Batu Airport on Wednesday (11/2) at approximately 11.00 Eastern Indonesian Time.
Papua Regional Police Public Relations Chief Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito said the Cessna aircraft with registration number PK-SNR had departed from Tanah Merah Airport at 10.35 Eastern Indonesian Time bound for Koroway Batu.
Upon arrival at its destination, he said, the aircraft crewed by Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Baskoro was shot at by an unidentified group.
“At approximately 11.00 Eastern Indonesian Time, Boven Digoel District Police received information from Tanah Merah Airport that a shooting had occurred at Koroway Batu Airport,” he said.
He explained that the shooting came from the direction of the forest beside the Koroway Batu Airport area. Cahyo confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft were killed in the shooting incident.
“At 13.27 Eastern Indonesian Time, Boven Digoel District Police received information of fatalities resulting from the attack, namely two individuals believed to be the pilot and co-pilot,” he explained.