Jakarta, March 3 -- The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) confirmed it had fully restored security and order at 11 pioneer airports-small airstrips serving government-subsidized routes to remote regions-in Papua after a fatal shooting by armed rebels in February.

"Praise be to God, TNI troops have been stationed at all pioneer airports and restored stability across three Papuan provinces: Highland Papua, South Papua, and Central Papua," Commander of the Joint Defense Region Command III Lt. Gen. Bambang Trisnohadi said in a Monday statement.

He issued the statement after conducting on-the-ground inspections at several airfields alongside Commander of the Air Force Region Command III Air Vice Marshal Azhar Aditama Djojosugito and oth...