Authorities in South Sudan’s Maiwut State have accused rebel fighters allied to the country’s former First Vice President Riek Machar of shooting at a plane carrying civilians returning to the area.

Maiwut State Governor told Radio Tamazuj on Saturday that the plane carrying civilians from Juba to Maiwut was shot at on Thursday but was able to land safely in the area despite attempts by the opposition to discourage the return operations which the state and the national government in Juba have undertaken.

“Yes, a plane carrying civilians from Juba was shot at Thursday but it landed safely. It was shot by anti-peace elements. Their intention is to cause panic and to scare aircraft crews that are working day and night to support safe and voluntary return operations of civilians to their original homes,” said Governor Bol Ruach Rom.

Another statement released by the office of the minister of petroleum, Ezekiel Lul Gatkuoth said an Antonov 24 RV took off from Juba at 2:15 pm carrying 108 persons who came from UN camp and settled at the house of minister of petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth was attacked by rebels allied to Riek Machar.

The statement further said the plane shot at the horizontal stabilizer around 3:45 pm February 8, 2018 while approaching Pagak from the south flying over Jekou County in Yamure, about 7 kilometers away from Pagak.

Rebel deputy military spokesman denied the report, describing it as propaganda by the government to renege on promises it made to return the civilians to their home using air assets.