TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Papua police said that that a group of unidentified men shot at a Twin Otter Trigana aircraft chartered by the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) when landing at Keneyam Airport, Nduga, Papua.
The Papua Regional Police spokesman Sr. Comr. AM Kamal said the pilot, Capt. Ahmad Abdillah, suffered gunshot wounds on his back.
"The police and the TNI Army are still chasing after the shooter," Kamal said as ANTARA reported on Monday, June 25.
The Brimob aircraft departed from Wamena Airport, Jayawijaya and landed at Keneyam Airport at around 09:40 East Indonesia Time. As the plane taxied, about 15 people began firing the left side of the fuselage.
In addition to Ahmad, Kamal said that other passengers were also shot by bullets, including coopilot Irene Nur Farida.
Head of the Trigana Jayapura, Toro, confirmed the incident. He said the aircraft crew suffered injuries. Toro said that the crew was flying 18 Brimob officers who will be on duty for the Regional Head Election in Papua, which is on June 27.
"We also received reports that a shoot-out is taking place, and so we cannot rescue the crew and the passengers yet," he added.
ANTARA