Gunmen attack ExxonMobil's aircraft in Aceh
Monday, December 18 2000 - 04:30 AM WIB
Unidentified gunmen fired upon the aircraft carrying the employees of American oil and gas firm Exxon-Mobil and their dependants when it was about to land at the Malikul Saleh airport in Lhok Seumawe, Aceh Monday morning.
State oil and gas company Pertamina's foreign contractors management body (BPPKA) spokesman A Sidick Nitikusuma confirmed that the incident took place at around 8 a.m.
"The shooting caused three holes in the aircraft, including two in the fuselage and one in the wing.
"All the 15 passengers were safe. The aircraft soon returned to Medan and arrived there at 9 a.m.," Sidick said.
The aircraft, which is owned by PT PAS, is chartered by Exxon Mobil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer PT Arun LNG to transport their workers. Arun is owned by state oil and gas company Pertamina, Exxon Mobil and other partners.
Sidick said the companies suspended flight to Aceh until situations in the province were safe enough.
Separatist movement has been on the rise in Aceh after the downfall of former President Soeharto in the middle of 1998. Hundreds of people have been killed in clashes between the province's separatist group and the police and military members. (Bodega)