Indonesia: Armed assailants opened fire at plane at Pogapa Airport, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, July 18

Event

Armed assailants shot at a Smart Air light passenger plane at Pogapa Airport, Homeyo District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, July 18. The shooting reportedly occurred at around 08:30 after the plane landed at the airport. The plane was carrying military personnel. Several passengers were on board the aircraft during the attack; there were no reports of casualties. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Pogapa Airport is approximately 90 km (56 miles) north of Timika.

Context

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities have attributed the incident to an "armed criminal group” (Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata, KKB), a term typically used to refer to the separatist Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, OPM). The OPM has been engaging in a low-level insurgency for Papuan independence since the 1960s; the Indonesian government has designated the KKB as a terrorist organization. The organization typically targets Indonesian soldiers and police officers, as well as workers and infrastructure of state-owned public facilities and foreign-owned resource extraction companies, specifically PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI).

The incident highlights the threat posed by armed groups in the region and points to the continued tension between Indonesian authorities and people in Papua, who claim that the Indonesian central government racially discriminates against Papuans and that it does not sufficiently develop the provinces' infrastructure.

Advice

Plan for possible air and ground travel disruptions at and nearby Pogapa Airport. If any clashes erupt nearby, immediately depart the area. Heed all official transport and security advisories. Confirm flights to and from Pogapa Airport over the coming days. Heed all official security and transport advisories.