Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) confirmed it had fully restored security and order at 11 pioneer airports—small airstrips serving government-subsidized routes to remote regions—in Papua after a fatal shooting by armed rebels in February.“Praise be to God, TNI troops have been stationed at all pioneer airports and restored stability across three Papuan provinces: Highland Papua, South Papua, and Central Papua,” Commander of the Joint Defense Region Command III Lt. Gen. Bambang Trisnohadi said in a Monday statement.
He issued the statement after conducting on-the-ground inspections at several airfields alongside Commander of the Air Force Region Command III Air Vice Marshal Azhar Aditama Djojosugito and other TNI personnel, including one in Boven Digoel in South Papua.
The TNI has assigned soldiers to ensure round-the-clock safeguards at the 11 pioneer airports: Iwur, Teiraplu, and Aboy airfields in Highland Papua; Korowai Batu, Bomakia, Yaniruma, and Manggelum in South Papua; and Boega, Dagai, Fawi, and Kapiraya in Central Papua.
Trisnohadi emphasized that the military applies an integrated approach—encompassing all three branches—to securing the aviation facilities to guarantee safe and uninterrupted flights, including by mobilizing the Quick Reaction Corps (Korpasgat) of the Air Force to support air traffic control.
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The army officer further remarked that the security measures reflect the TNI's commitment to safeguarding territorial sovereignty, shielding residents of Papua from threats, and supporting economic activities and essential services, which partly rely on air transport across difficult terrain.
"Let us work together to protect and maintain pioneer airports as a symbol of sovereignty, progress, and prosperity in Papua, an integral part of Indonesia," he concluded.
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A group of armed separatists ambushed and opened fire on a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft operated by PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation shortly after landing at the Korowai Batu Airport on February 11, killing the pilot and first officer.
The following week, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced the temporary closure of the 11 pioneer airports, a policy he described as a preventive measure.