2) Smart Air pilots killed in South Papua airfield, armed group suspected
3) Papua joint task force seizes homemade rifle in Yahukimo
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1) Attacks in Indonesia’s Papua kill three, hit plane and Freeport convoy
Published Feb 11, 2026, 05:15 PM
Updated Feb 11, 2026, 10:28 PM
JAKARTA – Indonesian authorities said on Feb 11 that three people were killed and several injured in shootings in two different areas of the country’s easternmost region of Papua, including near the operations of gold and copper miner Freeport Indonesia.
A pilot and co-pilot of a small commercial Smart Air plane died after assailants opened fire on the aircraft as it landed at Korowai airport in Boven Digoel, South Papua province, on Feb 11, police spokesman Cahyo Sukarnito said.
The plane was carrying 13 passengers, in addition to the two pilots.
When the shooting began, the pilots and passengers left the plane and headed to a forested area near the airport, he said. The pilot and co-pilot were killed, but all passengers were safe.
Mr Cahyo said it was unclear who carried out the attack on the Cessna Caravan plane, after he was asked about the possible involvement of Papuan rebel groups.
Smart Air did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Separately, Indonesia’s military said the Free Papua Movement rebel group attacked a convoy of PT Freeport Indonesia, part of US miner Freeport-McMoRan Inc, killing a soldier and injuring another officer and a Freeport employee.
Freeport Indonesia said the attack occurred on Feb 11 on the main road to the mining town of Tembagapura, prompting the temporary closure of access to the area.
The rebel group claimed responsible for both attacks, its spokesperson Sebby Sambom said. “The plane was fired on and the pilot was killed because this airline often carried Indonesian security forces throughout Papua,” he said.
He did not provide details on the reason behind the attack on Freeport’s convoy.
A low-level but increasingly deadly battle for independence has simmered between security forces and rebels in resource-rich Papua ever since it was controversially brought under Indonesian control in a vote overseen by the United Nations in 1969. REUTERS
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2) Smart Air pilots killed in South Papua airfield, armed group suspected
February 11, 2026 20:02 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The pilot and first officer of a Smart Air flight were killed in a suspected armed attack while landing at Koroway Batu Airport in South Papua’s Boven Digoel District on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. local time, the plane landed and was immediately fired upon,” said Lukman F. Laisa, director general of Air Transport at the Transportation Ministry, in a written statement.
The aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan with registration PK-SNR, was flying from Tanah Merah Airport to Koroway Batu Airport, he confirmed.
“The flight had two crew members, 12 adult passengers, and an infant,” Laisa said, adding that all passengers survived unharmed.
The directorate general is coordinating with local airport authorities and promised updates as the investigation continues.
Related news: Papua joint task force seizes homemade rifle in Yahukimo
In response, the Indonesian Police said officers from the 2026 Peace Cartenz Operation will be deployed to investigate the attack.
“The Papuan Police and Peace Cartenz officers are coordinating to respond to the incident,” Inspector General Jhonny Edison Isir, head of police public relations, said, noting geographical and access challenges.
Papua Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito confirmed the victims’ names: pilot Egon Erawan and first officer Baskoro.
Armed groups linked to the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics targeting security personnel and civilians to spread fear.
Their attacks have included construction workers, teachers, motorcycle taxi drivers, street vendors, and civilian aircraft.
In a high-profile case, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group on February 7, 2023, in Highland Papua’s Nduga District.
Mehrtens was ambushed shortly after landing, held for over a year, and released in September 2024.
Related news: Fourteen armed rebels killed in Papua linked to deadly attacks: TNI
“On Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. local time, the plane landed and was immediately fired upon,” said Lukman F. Laisa, director general of Air Transport at the Transportation Ministry, in a written statement.
The aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan with registration PK-SNR, was flying from Tanah Merah Airport to Koroway Batu Airport, he confirmed.
“The flight had two crew members, 12 adult passengers, and an infant,” Laisa said, adding that all passengers survived unharmed.
The directorate general is coordinating with local airport authorities and promised updates as the investigation continues.
Related news: Papua joint task force seizes homemade rifle in Yahukimo
In response, the Indonesian Police said officers from the 2026 Peace Cartenz Operation will be deployed to investigate the attack.
“The Papuan Police and Peace Cartenz officers are coordinating to respond to the incident,” Inspector General Jhonny Edison Isir, head of police public relations, said, noting geographical and access challenges.
Papua Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito confirmed the victims’ names: pilot Egon Erawan and first officer Baskoro.
Armed groups linked to the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics targeting security personnel and civilians to spread fear.
Their attacks have included construction workers, teachers, motorcycle taxi drivers, street vendors, and civilian aircraft.
In a high-profile case, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group on February 7, 2023, in Highland Papua’s Nduga District.
Mehrtens was ambushed shortly after landing, held for over a year, and released in September 2024.
Related news: Fourteen armed rebels killed in Papua linked to deadly attacks: TNI
Translator: M Harianto, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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3) Papua joint task force seizes homemade rifle in Yahukimo
February 11, 2026 17:14 GMT+700
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - A joint task force in Papua’s Yahukimo District seized a homemade long-barreled rifle near Jalan Gunung, Kali T Complex, Dekai, Brig. Gen. Faizal Rahmadani said Wednesday.
The weapon was secured by personnel from the Operation Peace Cartenz Task Force and Yahukimo Police on Tuesday, February 2, at 2:33 p.m., following a tip from local residents.
“Led by Commissioner Sarraju of the task force’s Law Enforcement Division and accompanied by First Inspector Samuel Yunus of Yahukimo Police intelligence, the team immediately went to the site to investigate and secure the weapon,” Faizal said.
Investigators found the rifle behind an abandoned house near the reported location and confiscated it as evidence.
The weapon was taken to Yahukimo Police headquarters for further investigation, authorities said.
“This action is part of early preventive measures against potential public security threats in Papua’s highlands, especially in Yahukimo,” Faizal added.
He said any information posing a potential threat to public safety is acted on without delay.
“It is the task force’s commitment to prevent security disturbances and ensure residents feel safe in their daily activities,” he said.
Papuan separatists have intensified attacks across Indonesia’s easternmost provinces in recent years, targeting civilians, workers, and security forces in a campaign aimed at spreading fear and undermining state authority.
Armed groups linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian troops and staged assaults on civilians in districts including Intan Jaya, Nduga, Yahukimo, and Puncak.
Targets have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi drivers, teachers, students, food vendors, and civilian aircraft crews.
Notable incidents include December 2, 2018: Rebels killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya building the Trans Papua highway in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak, Yigi Subdistrict, Nduga District.
March 2, 2022: Eight technicians from Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) were shot dead in Beoga Subdistrict, Puncak District, while repairing a Telkomsel telecom tower.
February 7, 2023: New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya after landing a Susi Air flight in Nduga District. His aircraft was then set on fire.
October 16, 2023: Separatists attacked gold miners in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, killing seven.
November 25, 2023: Four Indonesian soldiers died in a gunfight with rebels in Paro Subdistrict, Nduga District.
January 19, 2024: Security forces clashed with an armed group in Intan Jaya District, Central Papua. Brimob paramilitary police officer Alfando Steve Karamoy was injured by gunfire.
April 10, 2024: Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, commander of the 1703-04 Aradide Subdistrict Military Command, was shot and killed in Paniai District, Central Papua.
April 2025: Sixteen illegal gold miners were shot dead by an armed group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua.
October 6, 2025: TPNPB commander Mayu Waliya was killed in a clash with Joint Task Force Habema in Lanny Jaya District.
Related news: Indonesia seeks synchronized efforts for development in Papua
Related news: Papuan student recalls Prabowo's call to serve Indonesia
The weapon was secured by personnel from the Operation Peace Cartenz Task Force and Yahukimo Police on Tuesday, February 2, at 2:33 p.m., following a tip from local residents.
“Led by Commissioner Sarraju of the task force’s Law Enforcement Division and accompanied by First Inspector Samuel Yunus of Yahukimo Police intelligence, the team immediately went to the site to investigate and secure the weapon,” Faizal said.
Investigators found the rifle behind an abandoned house near the reported location and confiscated it as evidence.
The weapon was taken to Yahukimo Police headquarters for further investigation, authorities said.
“This action is part of early preventive measures against potential public security threats in Papua’s highlands, especially in Yahukimo,” Faizal added.
He said any information posing a potential threat to public safety is acted on without delay.
“It is the task force’s commitment to prevent security disturbances and ensure residents feel safe in their daily activities,” he said.
Papuan separatists have intensified attacks across Indonesia’s easternmost provinces in recent years, targeting civilians, workers, and security forces in a campaign aimed at spreading fear and undermining state authority.
Armed groups linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian troops and staged assaults on civilians in districts including Intan Jaya, Nduga, Yahukimo, and Puncak.
Targets have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi drivers, teachers, students, food vendors, and civilian aircraft crews.
Notable incidents include December 2, 2018: Rebels killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya building the Trans Papua highway in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak, Yigi Subdistrict, Nduga District.
March 2, 2022: Eight technicians from Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) were shot dead in Beoga Subdistrict, Puncak District, while repairing a Telkomsel telecom tower.
February 7, 2023: New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya after landing a Susi Air flight in Nduga District. His aircraft was then set on fire.
October 16, 2023: Separatists attacked gold miners in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, killing seven.
November 25, 2023: Four Indonesian soldiers died in a gunfight with rebels in Paro Subdistrict, Nduga District.
January 19, 2024: Security forces clashed with an armed group in Intan Jaya District, Central Papua. Brimob paramilitary police officer Alfando Steve Karamoy was injured by gunfire.
April 10, 2024: Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, commander of the 1703-04 Aradide Subdistrict Military Command, was shot and killed in Paniai District, Central Papua.
April 2025: Sixteen illegal gold miners were shot dead by an armed group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua.
October 6, 2025: TPNPB commander Mayu Waliya was killed in a clash with Joint Task Force Habema in Lanny Jaya District.
Related news: Indonesia seeks synchronized efforts for development in Papua
Related news: Papuan student recalls Prabowo's call to serve Indonesia
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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