Durian. A mission aircraft operated by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) was burned by a group of people in Biandoga district, Intan Jaya, Papua on Jan.6 according to Paul Iswanto, MAF base manager in Nabire said on Jan.7.
Seven passengers and pilot are safe but traumatized, Iswanto said. The aircraft type Twin Otter was totally burned.
Security authorities said perpetrators were from criminal armed group (KKB). Passengers and pilot were rescued by local residents and a Christian pastor and prevented them from being harmed.
According to the Military (TNI), the group members had claimed that they were from Free West Papua Army (TNPB).
Papua Police said the pilot is American namely Alex Lufercheck who has been evacuated to Jayapura for physiological check.
Police in cooperation with Military personnel have been searching for the perpetrators.
