US Pilot Shot in Papua: What We Know So Far

7 hours ago 1

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Armed conflict in Papua has once again attracted attention after an American pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, was fatally shot by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM). Nicholas was shot while flying an aircraft owned by PT AMA in the Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Here are some important facts about this incident.

Chronology of the Pilot Shooting and Aircraft Burning

Nicholas was shot while passing through the Sobaham District on Thursday, July 3, 2026. The aircraft piloted by Nicholas was executed on suspicion of carrying logistical support for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in Papua.

The spokesperson for the TPNPB headquarters, Sebby Sambom, stated that the shooting of the American pilot and the burning of the aircraft were carried out by the TPNPB militia of Kodap XVI Yahukimo led by Elkius Kobak. "We shot as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly over Papua," said Sambom in a written statement on Friday, July 3, 2026.

He explained that the 36 TPNPB regional defense commands (Kodap) had issued a ban on flights in their respective areas to all airlines operating in Papua. The ban was a precautionary measure by the TPNPB against the deployment of non-organic TNI troops to Papua.

According to Sambom, Indonesian airlines operating in Papua, including the aircraft owned by PT AMA that was burned in Yahukimo, often carried personnel or logistical support for the TNI to remote areas of Papua.

"They carry TNI, transport logistics and weapons to carry out military operations that bring suffering to the people of Papua. We prohibit that," he said.

9 Regencies in Papua Declared War Zones

Since December 2024, the TPNPB has claimed the designation of 9 regencies in Papua as war zones, restricting civilian access. These nine areas include Nduga; Puncak Bintang; Puncak Jaya; Intan Jaya; Maybrat; Paniai; Dogiyai; Deiyai; and Yahukimo Regency.

Sambom stated that the TPNPB had repeatedly warned about the areas they referred to as war zones. "It is the mistake of the Indonesian government to allow civilian aircraft to enter war zones," he said.

TNI Conducts Special Operations

Following this incident, TNI troops from the Habema Operation Command (Koops Habema) conducted special operations to secure the Ipdeheik Airstrip in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, where the pilot was shot, and the aircraft was burning.

The head of information for Koops Habema, Lt. Col. Wirya Arthadiguna, stated that the operation was carried out to secure the airstrip as a point of entry for assistance and to support tactical search and rescue (SAR) operations as well as victim evacuation.

"The operation was conducted to control and secure the airstrip as a point of entry for assistance, as well as to carry out tactical SAR and victim evacuation," said Wirya on Friday, July 3, 2026.

In the operation, Koops Habema deployed 10 troops supported by two Caracal helicopters. According to Wirya, the helicopters were used due to the high level of difficulty posed by the mountainous terrain in the area.

Victim's Body Has Been Evacuated

Wirya stated that his subordinates had successfully evacuated the victim's body. The body was known to have arrived in Timika for further handling.

"Subsequently, the body will be handed over to the authorities for further processing in accordance with applicable procedures," he said.

TNI Hunts Group Responsible for Shooting the Pilot

After the evacuation process, TNI deployed troops from the Koops Habema Command to hunt down the TPNPB-OPM group suspected of shooting the pilot of the pioneer aircraft in Yahukimo, Papua Mountains.

Based on information obtained, the shooting of the pilot and the burning of the pioneer aircraft were allegedly carried out by the TPNPB group led by Elkius Kobak.

"Koops Habema patrol teams immediately conducted sweeps and pursuit of the perpetrators to maintain security and support law enforcement processes," said Wirya.