Two pilots were killed after gunmen opened fire on a small commercial passenger plane during landing in Indonesia’s remote South Papua region on Wednesday, according to international media reports.
The aircraft had departed from Tanah Merah and was carrying passengers when it came under attack as it Mwas approaching the runway. Armed assailants reportedly sprayed the plane with bullets, several of which pierced the fuselage and entered the cabin.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the pilots directed passengers to flee toward a nearby forest for safety. However, both pilots were surrounded by the attackers and shot dead during the assault. All passengers managed to escape and survived the incident.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Authorities have launched an investigation, but the identities of the attackers and the motive behind the shooting remain unclear.
The Papua region, rich in natural resources, has witnessed a long-running low-intensity conflict between Indonesian security forces and separatist groups. The unrest dates back to a controversial UN-supervised referendum in 1969, after which Papua was integrated into Indonesia.
In the past, there have been reports of shootings targeting aircraft and helicopters in the region.
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