TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), an armed separatist group operating in Indonesia's eastern Papua region, has claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting of a pilot and the burning of an aircraft in Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday, July 2.
TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the attack was carried out by fighters from the group's Yahukimo regional command (Kodap XVI), led by Elkius Kobak.
"We shot the pilot as a warning to prevent any more Indonesian airlines from flying in Papua," Sambom said in a written statement on Friday, July 3.
TPNPB Cites Military Concerns
Sambom claimed that all 36 TPNPB regional commands had previously warned airlines operating in Papua not to fly into areas the group considers conflict zones.
He said the policy was intended to prevent the deployment of non-organic Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel to Papua. In Indonesian military terminology, "non-organic" refers to troops deployed from outside the local military command.
According to Sambom, commercial aircraft operating in Papua, including the PT AMA aircraft destroyed in Yahukimo, are frequently used to transport soldiers and military supplies to remote areas.
"They transport TNI personnel, logistics, and weapons to support military operations that bring suffering to the Papuan people. We prohibit that," he said.
Sambom also blamed the Indonesian government for allowing civilian aircraft to enter what the group describes as a war zone.
"This is a mistake by the Indonesian government for allowing civilian aircraft to enter the war zone," he said.
Since December 2024, TPNPB has declared nine regencies in Papua as combat zones: Yahukimo, Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Paniai, Dogiyai, and Deiyai.
Indonesian Military Confirms Pilot's Death
Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command Colonel Tri Purwanto confirmed that the pilot, a U.S. citizen, was shot in Yahukimo.
"The chronology is still being investigated by joint security forces. However, preliminary reports indicate that the pilot, identified as Nicholas F. Goselin, also known as Mark, died, while seven passengers survived," Tri told Tempo via WhatsApp on Friday.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the circumstances surrounding the attack or the condition of the surviving passengers.
Read: American Pilot Killed as Plane Burned in Papua
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
American Pilot Killed as Plane Burned in Papua
2 jam lalu
An American pilot died after a PT AMA aircraft was burned by suspected separatist rebels at Perintis Balingga Airport in Yahukimo, Papua.
Indonesian Police Arrest TPNPB-OPM Member Over Marine Corps Vehicle Shooting Case
12 hari lalu
Indonesian Police's Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force captured a member of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM).
VP Gibran Says Indonesia's Development Is No Longer Java-Centric
12 hari lalu
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming stated that development in Indonesia is no longer concentrated on the island of Java
Freeport Submits 12% Stake Divestment Draft to Indonesian Govt
15 hari lalu
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has submitted a draft agreement on a 12 percent stock divestment to the government for the extension of the Special Mining License (IUPK).
Before Yasinta Changed Course
19 hari lalu
The military and a company were allegedly involved in Yasinta Moiwend's change of stance and her departure to Jakarta. Her family filed police report.
How Soldiers Run Papua's Food Estate
21 hari lalu
Soldiers are deployed for military operations and food-security projects in Papua. Military posts now stand at roadsides across the region.
Why Pesta Babi May Qualify as Journalism
22 hari lalu
The producers of Pesta Babi are facing questions over personal data protection. Some argue the film should be regarded as a journalistic work.
Colonialism in Papua
23 hari lalu
The attempt to pit an actor and the filmmakers of the Pesta Babi against each other only proves that there is colonialism in Papua.
Death Toll of World War II Bomb Explosion in Papua Rises to 6
30 hari lalu
The deceased victim succumbed to injury after a World War II bomb explosion in Papua.
Chronology of Deadly World War II Bomb Explosion in Papua
30 hari lalu
A wartime relic from World War II exploded in Biak Numfor, Papua, killing five people, injuring 19, and leaving three others missing on the coast.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5414491/original/012054700_1763287155-530668458_18471777553074306_380593477510268437_n__1_.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg):watermark(kly-media-production/assets/images/watermarks/bola/watermark-color-landscape-new.png,1125,20,0)/kly-media-production/medias/6007179/original/011565500_1778899711-20260512BL_Portrait_John_Herdman_24.jpg)