Indonesia: Armed criminal group members shot at a plane at Kenyam Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Province, on the morning of June 7

Event

Members of the KKB armed criminal group shot at a civilian plane at Kenyam Airport in Nduga Regency, Papua Province, at around 10:15 June 7. Reports indicate that the plane had landed at the airport when the gunfire occurred. There have been no reports of casualties. The current status of the airport's operations is unclear.

Kenyam Airport is around 84 km (52 miles) southwest of Wamena.

Context

Authorities continue to maintain security operations in the region after declaring KKB groups in Papua as terrorist organizations in April 2021. Armed organizations typically target Indonesian soldiers, police officers, and workers and facilities of foreign-owned resource extraction companies, specifically PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), whose operations are mainly in Mimika Regency. Locals have also continued to demonstrate against the planned provincial expansion in Papua as of June 7, claiming that the policy will not aid the region's development. The incidents point 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.