Indonesia VP cancels Papua visit after aircraft shooting by militants PHOTO/VIDEO

Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has cancelled a visit to West Papua following a shooting attack on an aircraft in the region.

Raka was scheduled to land in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency, on January 14, but changed plans after reports that Papuan militants had fired on a plane the day before. Both Indonesia’s military and government confirmed on January 15 that the visit was called off due to “security concerns," Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing videos showing several fighters, including one depicting armed Papuan fighters shooting at an aircraft overhead. The TPNPB’s Commander-in-Chief, Goliath Tabuni, warned that his troops remain on standby and were ready to kill the vice-president if he entered Yahukimo.

Raka had been touring several major centers in Papua to inspect development projects. His previous visits to Biak and Wamena proceeded without incident. The government said the Yahukimo visit was postponed because local and national security forces believed “there was sufficient threat to public safety.”

A government spokesperson added, “As of now we heard that fortunately there's no casualty or victim from that unprovoked attack,” noting that authorities could not confirm the reported shooting at civilian aircraft.

The spokesperson also suggested the TPNPB, described as an “armed criminal group,” may have mistakenly believed they were targeting the vice-president’s delegation.

Yahukimo, a remote regency in Papua’s Highlands, has seen escalating conflict between TPNPB guerrilla fighters and Indonesia’s security forces in recent years. Major Tabuni said that members of the Indonesian government did not represent the Papuan people.

By Sabina Mammadli