National Police Chief Orders Arrest of Smart Air Pilot Shooter

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo ordered relevant units to immediately apprehend the perpetrators who shot at the pilot and copilot of a Smart Air aircraft at Koroway Batu Airport, Boven Digoel, Papua. Sigit said all officers in the field have already identified the suspected perpetrators and are currently pursuing them.

“We have certainly ordered our personnel on the ground to conduct pursuit and further investigation, as we already have a picture of their identities,” he told reporters on Friday (2/13).

He assured that the shooting case that killed Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Baskoro will be thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, Sigit has tasked all personnel in the Papua region to coordinate with the military to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

“We are asking that in light of the events of recent days, the military and police work in synergy to prevent further incidents from happening,” he said.

Lastly, Sigit ordered all police personnel in the area to be present and reassure the public that the situation is safe and under control.

“To ensure the public feels at ease, and to carry out law enforcement,” he concluded.

Previously, Papua Regional Police Public Relations Chief Sr. Comr. Cahyo Sukarnito said the Cessna aircraft with registration number PK-SNR flew from Tanah Merah Airport at 10:35 a.m. local time, bound for Koroway Batu. Upon arriving at the destination, he said, the aircraft crewed by Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Baskoro was fired upon by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) from the Yahukimo area led by Elkius Kobak. He explained that the shooting came from the forested area beside Koroway Batu Airport. Cahyo confirmed that both the pilot and copilot were killed in the shooting incident.