TPNPB-OPM Explains Reasons for Shooting Smart Air Pilot and Co-pilot
The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) has explained its reasons for shooting the pilot and co-pilot of Smart Air airline at Korowai Airstrip, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.
TPNPB central command spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the Korowai area is an operational zone of TPNPB militia under Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI/Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak with Kopitua Heluka as operations commander.
"We shall be concrete — TPNPB has long issued warnings for Indonesians to leave Papuan territory, particularly in conflict zones," Sebby said via a WhatsApp voice message on Monday, 16 February 2026.
TPNPB, he continued, has designated the Boven Digoel area falling under the Kodap XVI/Yahukimo operational zone as a conflict zone, meaning various armed clashes are considered commonplace.
Furthermore, he alleged that Smart Air aircraft frequently transport TNI-Polri (military and police) personnel for duty in Papua. It is this transportation of troops and logistics for TNI-Polri that led TPNPB to target the aircraft shooting.
TPNPB, he claimed, operates under laws of war that permit shooting anyone declared to be involved with or part of TNI-Polri, including intelligence operatives.
"We have records showing Smart Air regularly carries TNI-Polri personnel. Therefore, we are not wrong in defending ourselves to save the lives of indigenous Papuans," Sebby said.
Head of Public Information for Regional Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih Lieutenant Colonel Try Poerwanto rejected TPNPB's claims that Smart Air aircraft frequently transport military personnel and logistics in Papua. He said that TPNPB's statements regarding both the aircraft and the conflict zone constitute propaganda aimed at concealing crimes against humanity in Papua.
"We have our own aircraft and helicopters; we do not use civilian planes. We urge the public not to believe what they [OPM] say," Try said.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo said that at the time of the shooting incident, the aircraft flown by pilot Captain Egon Erawan and co-pilot Captain Bas Koro was carrying 13 passengers.
The A/C C208B Ex type aircraft departed from Tanah Merah Airport at 10.35 Eastern Indonesian Time on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, and landed at Korowai Airstrip at approximately 11.00 Eastern Indonesian Time, precisely when the shooting incident occurred.
As a result of the shooting, the pilot and co-pilot were confirmed killed. Meanwhile, all 13 passengers — comprising 12 adults and one infant — were declared safe.
The Operation Damai Cartenz Task Force stated it has identified the perpetrators of the shooting. "TPNPB Yahukimo militia known as the Kanibal and Semut Merah Battalions," Yusuf said.
TPNPB central command spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the Korowai area is an operational zone of TPNPB militia under Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI/Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak with Kopitua Heluka as operations commander.
"We shall be concrete — TPNPB has long issued warnings for Indonesians to leave Papuan territory, particularly in conflict zones," Sebby said via a WhatsApp voice message on Monday, 16 February 2026.
TPNPB, he continued, has designated the Boven Digoel area falling under the Kodap XVI/Yahukimo operational zone as a conflict zone, meaning various armed clashes are considered commonplace.
Furthermore, he alleged that Smart Air aircraft frequently transport TNI-Polri (military and police) personnel for duty in Papua. It is this transportation of troops and logistics for TNI-Polri that led TPNPB to target the aircraft shooting.
TPNPB, he claimed, operates under laws of war that permit shooting anyone declared to be involved with or part of TNI-Polri, including intelligence operatives.
"We have records showing Smart Air regularly carries TNI-Polri personnel. Therefore, we are not wrong in defending ourselves to save the lives of indigenous Papuans," Sebby said.
Head of Public Information for Regional Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih Lieutenant Colonel Try Poerwanto rejected TPNPB's claims that Smart Air aircraft frequently transport military personnel and logistics in Papua. He said that TPNPB's statements regarding both the aircraft and the conflict zone constitute propaganda aimed at concealing crimes against humanity in Papua.
"We have our own aircraft and helicopters; we do not use civilian planes. We urge the public not to believe what they [OPM] say," Try said.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo said that at the time of the shooting incident, the aircraft flown by pilot Captain Egon Erawan and co-pilot Captain Bas Koro was carrying 13 passengers.
The A/C C208B Ex type aircraft departed from Tanah Merah Airport at 10.35 Eastern Indonesian Time on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, and landed at Korowai Airstrip at approximately 11.00 Eastern Indonesian Time, precisely when the shooting incident occurred.
As a result of the shooting, the pilot and co-pilot were confirmed killed. Meanwhile, all 13 passengers — comprising 12 adults and one infant — were declared safe.
The Operation Damai Cartenz Task Force stated it has identified the perpetrators of the shooting. "TPNPB Yahukimo militia known as the Kanibal and Semut Merah Battalions," Yusuf said.