A WingsAir ATR 72 was fired upon by the KKB Group while landing at Dekai Airport in Indonesia on February 17th. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries onboard the aircraft or on the ground.
The incident occurred as the ATR 72-600 with registration PK-WJT, carrying 50 passengers and crew, was approaching Dekai Airport in the West Papua region. Local media reports suggest that the KKB Group, an armed separatist group operating in the region, is responsible for the shooting.
According to initial reports, the plane sustained minor damage from the gunfire but was able to land safely. All passengers and crew were evacuated without incident.
Sebuah #pesawat #WingsAir PK-WJT jenis ATR 72 di tembak kelompok #KKB saat mendarat di Bandara Nop Goliat,distrik Dekai, Kabupaten Yahukimo, #Papua Pegunungan, Sabtu (17/2/2024).
Pesawat itu ditembaki sekitar pukul 13.20WIB di ujung landasan. Tidak ada korban jiwa dlm insiden ini pic.twitter.com/ltQgU6n2Dw— Wazer (@Waze_Tripper) February 17, 2024
Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and have condemned the attack. The KKB Group has not yet commented on the incident.
The KKB Group has been engaged in a low-level insurgency against the Indonesian government for decades.
The group is seeking independence for the West Papua region. This is not the first time that the KKB Group has targeted civilian aircraft.
