Papuaaround.com – A tense moment unfolded at Aminggaru Ilaga Airport in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on Saturday morning, May 24, as a shootout broke out between Indonesian security forces and an armed criminal group (KKB) while a plane carrying Puncak Regent Elvis Tabuni was approaching for landing.
According to official reports, the gunfire erupted during a routine patrol conducted by personnel from Operation Peace Cartenz (ODC), a task force assigned to safeguard high-risk areas in the region. The patrol team, known as Belukar 5.6, reportedly heard gunshots coming from two separate locations near the airport.
In response, the team conducted an immediate sweep of the area and requested reinforcements from the main post, citing the vast terrain around Aminggaru Village as a potential hiding ground for armed groups. Additional units from Belukar and Delta teams were promptly deployed to strengthen the airport’s security perimeter.
Despite the heightened tension, security forces successfully regained control of the area. The joint task force managed to push back the attackers, ensuring that airport operations remained unaffected.
“Task force personnel responded swiftly and decisively to secure the airport as a vital public facility,” officials confirmed. “Flights continued as scheduled, and the area remained under full control.”
Authorities also confirmed that the aircraft carrying Puncak Regent Elvis Tabuni landed safely without incident. He was immediately escorted under heavy guard to his official residence in Gome District.
“There were no direct threats to the aircraft. Claims suggesting that the plane came under fire are not accurate,” a senior officer from the task force clarified. “All gunfire was directed at security forces and not at the incoming flight.”
Following the safe landing, however, security personnel faced another round of gunfire while returning to the airport. Shots were fired from two different directions near the Ilame Bridge area. One of the attackers was reportedly using a civilian truck during the incident.
Although troops returned fire briefly, they chose a strategic retreat to reorganize and avoid unnecessary escalation.
No injuries were reported among the 298 personnel involved in the operation. All members remained unharmed and continued their duties as part of the security detail in the Ilaga area.
“The situation in Ilaga has now been stabilized,” said a spokesperson for the operation. “We urge the public to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation, and trust the police to manage the security situation.”
Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the attackers, but such incidents underscore the ongoing volatility in several regions of Papua, where armed groups continue to pose security challenges.
This latest confrontation highlights the critical role of coordinated security operations in maintaining stability, especially in remote areas where local government leaders rely on air travel to reach their constituencies.
As the region moves forward, officials stress the importance of unity and vigilance, assuring residents that efforts to ensure peace and safety will remain a top priority.
