TNI Denies TPNPB-OPM Allegations Regarding Smart Air Aircraft
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has denied allegations by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) regarding a Smart Air aircraft accused of transporting military personnel when it landed at Korowai Batu Airport, Yaniruma District, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, on Wednesday afternoon, 11 February 2026.
TPNPB-OPM fired upon the pioneer aircraft belonging to PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation on the grounds that the vehicle was suspected of carrying security forces to be deployed into the Papua hinterland.
Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Donny Pramono rejected the claims made by the pro-independence Papuan militia. "We emphasise that the TNI has never used civilian aircraft as a cover for military operations. The claim is a one-sided statement," Donny said when contacted on Sunday evening, 15 February 2026.
He stressed that the facts on the ground showed that the victims of the aircraft shooting were civilians. Two crew members were confirmed dead as a result of the attack, namely Captain Egon Erawan, the pilot, and Captain Baskoro, the co-pilot.
The aircraft, a C208B Ex type operating the Tanah Merah (TMH)–Korowai Batu (DNW)–Tanah Merah (TMH) route, was carrying 13 civilian passengers comprising 12 adults and one infant. All passengers were reported safe, having hidden in the forest beside the runway during the shooting.
The TNI condemned the shooting of the Smart Air aircraft. "The victims are civilians, and violence against civilians cannot be justified for any reason," Donny said.
The Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force has identified the suspected perpetrators of the Smart Air aircraft shooting. Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo stated that the perpetrators were Armed Criminal Groups (KKB) from the Kanibal and Semut Merah Battalions originating from Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan. KKB is the term used by the Indonesian government to refer to TPNPB-OPM.
Joint security forces are currently pursuing the group. Yusuf also assured that the investigation and law enforcement would proceed in a measured and professional manner.
TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom confirmed that they were responsible for the aircraft shooting incident. Sebby stated that the Kanibal Battalion, led by Elkius Kobak and Kopitua Heluka, attacked the aircraft on the grounds that it was deemed to have violated international humanitarian law.
TPNPB-OPM, Sebby said, suspected that the airline frequently transported TNI-Police personnel into the Papua hinterland, which they have designated as their territorial area. Sebby claimed that TPNPB-OPM's actions constituted a self-defence mechanism, as they reject the presence of the Indonesian government and Indonesian citizens.
"Civilian aircraft are prohibited from transporting Indonesian military and police. If they dare to enter, they become shooting targets," Sebby said on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
TPNPB-OPM fired upon the pioneer aircraft belonging to PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation on the grounds that the vehicle was suspected of carrying security forces to be deployed into the Papua hinterland.
Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Donny Pramono rejected the claims made by the pro-independence Papuan militia. "We emphasise that the TNI has never used civilian aircraft as a cover for military operations. The claim is a one-sided statement," Donny said when contacted on Sunday evening, 15 February 2026.
He stressed that the facts on the ground showed that the victims of the aircraft shooting were civilians. Two crew members were confirmed dead as a result of the attack, namely Captain Egon Erawan, the pilot, and Captain Baskoro, the co-pilot.
The aircraft, a C208B Ex type operating the Tanah Merah (TMH)–Korowai Batu (DNW)–Tanah Merah (TMH) route, was carrying 13 civilian passengers comprising 12 adults and one infant. All passengers were reported safe, having hidden in the forest beside the runway during the shooting.
The TNI condemned the shooting of the Smart Air aircraft. "The victims are civilians, and violence against civilians cannot be justified for any reason," Donny said.
The Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force has identified the suspected perpetrators of the Smart Air aircraft shooting. Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo stated that the perpetrators were Armed Criminal Groups (KKB) from the Kanibal and Semut Merah Battalions originating from Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan. KKB is the term used by the Indonesian government to refer to TPNPB-OPM.
Joint security forces are currently pursuing the group. Yusuf also assured that the investigation and law enforcement would proceed in a measured and professional manner.
TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom confirmed that they were responsible for the aircraft shooting incident. Sebby stated that the Kanibal Battalion, led by Elkius Kobak and Kopitua Heluka, attacked the aircraft on the grounds that it was deemed to have violated international humanitarian law.
TPNPB-OPM, Sebby said, suspected that the airline frequently transported TNI-Police personnel into the Papua hinterland, which they have designated as their territorial area. Sebby claimed that TPNPB-OPM's actions constituted a self-defence mechanism, as they reject the presence of the Indonesian government and Indonesian citizens.
"Civilian aircraft are prohibited from transporting Indonesian military and police. If they dare to enter, they become shooting targets," Sebby said on Saturday, 14 February 2026.