By: Yohanes Wandikbo)*
The terror carried out by armed criminal groups in Papua once again reveals a pattern of violence that targets not only security personnel but also deprives civilians of their right to life and disrupts the pulse of development. The shooting of the Smart Air PK-SNR pioneer aircraft at Koroway Batu Airport in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, demonstrates that such acts of violence have crossed humanitarian boundaries. The attack, which claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot and destabilized security in the area, was not merely an ordinary criminal incident but a serious threat to the development ecosystem that the government is intensifying in the Land of Papua.
The Director of Nusantara Parameter Index, Murmahudi, assessed that the terror not only disrupts security aspects but also damages the entire development ecosystem of Papua. According to him, pioneer airports in Papua are national vital objects that serve as the sole distribution channels for logistics, food supplies, healthcare services, and community mobility in remote areas. He emphasized that without pioneer flights, the prices of basic necessities would surge, medical services would halt, and teachers as well as healthcare workers would struggle to reach inland regions, leaving civilians to bear the greatest impact.
Pioneer aircraft in Papua are not merely transportation tools but lifelines. In regions characterized by challenging topography and limited land infrastructure, air routes serve as the primary connector between areas. When civilian aircraft are shot at, the consequences extend beyond security concerns to food security, healthcare access, and the continuity of education. Ultimately, such actions trap Papuan communities in a cycle of isolation and underdevelopment.
Murmahudi also viewed the pattern of attack—where local passengers were spared while the crew was executed—as indicating a planned terror strategy aimed at eliminating public services and intimidating civilian operators into halting operations in Papua. He considered the attack on Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel in Tembagapura, Mimika, which resulted in one soldier killed and two injured, as part of an escalation of armed violence intended to weaken security stability. In his view, development cannot proceed under the threat of weapons; therefore, the state must take firm measures to strengthen the protection of vital objects, enhance intelligence operations, and enforce the law against armed groups.
Papua’s development thus far reflects the government’s strong commitment to accelerating welfare. Basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports, and public facilities continues to be constructed to break regional isolation. The Special Autonomy policy has also been reinforced to grant regions adequate authority and budgetary support. However, all these achievements will face serious obstacles if acts of violence are allowed to persist without decisive response.
Concrete action by the state is evident through law enforcement operations conducted by the Damai Cartenz Task Force. The Head of Public Relations for Damai Cartenz Operation 2026, Police Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, revealed that around 20 individuals are suspected of involvement in the shooting of the pioneer aircraft, with two already identified and undergoing further investigation. He explained that authorities are still questioning suspects identified by the initials GW and EH to uncover a broader network.
According to Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrators used three to four long-barreled firearms along with several sharp weapons such as spears, bows, and machetes. The type and origin of the firearms are still under identification. He assured that security forces continue to pursue other suspects and have deployed additional personnel to reinforce security in Boven Digoel to maintain a conducive situation.
Firm action against perpetrators of violence must be understood as a form of protection for Papuan civilians. When the state strengthens security at pioneer airports and along logistics routes, it safeguards the people’s right to access basic necessities at reasonable prices, receive continuous healthcare services, and enjoy education without fear. The state must not yield to terror, as the future of Papua’s generation is at stake.
Measured and professional security approaches form an essential foundation for sustainable development. Security stability encourages investment, facilitates the distribution of goods, and ensures infrastructure projects proceed as planned. Without security, development acceleration will stall and public welfare will remain difficult to achieve.
At the same time, the government continues to prioritize human resource development. Affirmative education programs, scholarships, vocational training, and local economic empowerment initiatives are being expanded. When security is ensured, these programs can operate optimally and deliver tangible benefits to communities. Thus, firm action against armed criminal groups is not merely a security response but an integral part of a long-term development strategy.
Narratives that attempt to distort facts by portraying the state’s firmness as excessive must be corrected. Attacks on civilian aircraft and national vital objects constitute serious crimes that endanger public safety. Within both national legal frameworks and international norms, such actions are intolerable. A firm response reflects the state’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights.
Public support for government measures is a crucial element in maintaining stability in Papua. National solidarity must manifest in backing policies that ensure security and sustain development. When the state acts firmly and professionally, it sends a clear message that there is no room for violence to obstruct progress.
)* The author is an observer of Papua development