Boven Digoel – The joint team of the Cartenz-2026 Peace Operation Task Force together with the Papua Police General Criminal Investigation and the Boven Digoel Police Criminal Investigation Agency carried out the Crime Scene (TKP) related to the shooting of the Smart Air PK-SNR aircraft at Koroway Batu Airport, Yaniruma District, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua Province, Thursday (12/2/2026) at 09.10 WIT.
The shooting incident occurred on Wednesday (11/2/2026) and caused the pilot on behalf of Egon Irawan (alm) and co-pilot Baskoro (alm) to die.
Based on the results of interviews with a number of witnesses, the Smart Air plane initially landed around 10.30 WIT at Koroway Batu Airport. After the passengers got off, the plane prepared to continue the flight to Dekai, Yahukimo Regency.
When the pilot started the engine, about 20 perpetrators appeared from the direction of the airport accommodation with firearms and fired from a distance of about 200 meters towards the plane.
Seeing the situation, the passengers panicked and ran to save themselves. The pilot and co-pilot also ran towards residents’ houses around the airport, but both were chased by the perpetrators. Not long after, the victim was arrested and brought back to the runway area, then the perpetrators were shot.
In the implementation of crime scene processing and reconstruction, the team conducted 23 numbering of important points, including:
Starting position of shooting direction, Aircraft location, 13 firing points on the fuselage, Aircraft window glass breakage, Collection of 2 bullet casings and 1 bullet on the runway, Victim arrest and execution point and Body evacuation location at Koroway Batu Airport Terminal.
From the results of the physical examination of the plane, 13 gunshot marks were found on the fuselage. The witnesses also admitted that they did not recognize the perpetrators and suspected that the perpetrator was not a local resident. The next witnesses are planned to be taken to the Boven Digoel Police Station in Tanah Merah for further examination.
A total of 33 refugees are currently in Kepi, Mappi Regency, and six others are in Senggo District, Mappi Regency. Access to the incident location can only be reached by air and river using a small boat (katinting).
Head of Peace Operations Cartenz-2026, Brigadier General Pol Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., explained that the implementation of the crime scene investigation was carried out thoroughly to openly reveal the shooting incident of the Smart Air PK-SNR aircraft which resulted in the death of two crew members.
“We do this crime scene to ensure that every evidence, trace, and fact in the field can be documented and verified professionally. This is very important to clarify the construction of the case and support the investigation process and comprehensive investigation,” said Brigadier General Faizal.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Cartenz-2026 Peace Operations, Kombes Pol Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., added that in the crime scene processing activities, the team managed to secure a number of evidence related to the incident.
“The evidence that was successfully secured has now been secured for further examination and investigation process,” explained Kombes Adarma.
The Cartenz-2026 Peace Ops Task Force will not give space to Armed Criminal Groups that carry out violent acts against civilians or transportation facilities. Law enforcement efforts will be carried out in a measurable, professional manner, and in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
