Separatist insurgents in Indonesia’s Papua region have fatally shot an American pilot and set his plane ablaze to convey a “message,” according to their leaders.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the killing of Nicholas F Gosselin, a pilot working for Indonesian aviation company PT AMA, upon his arrival in Highland Papua province on Thursday.
The rebels accused civilian pilots of transporting Indonesian troops to the area and asserted that Gosselin’s death was intended as a warning. However, Gosselin’s friend, Kenneth Jagers, refuted these claims on social media, stating that Gosselin was on a humanitarian mission and not involved in any military activities.
The Indonesian military refuted allegations that the aircraft was carrying troops, clarifying that the seven passengers onboard were Indigenous Papuan civilians, including three women, who escaped unharmed.
Tensions between Indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces have escalated in the poverty-stricken Papua region, resulting in a surge of violence over the past year, with casualties among rebels, security personnel, and civilians, particularly targeting foreign pilots.
Indonesia’s civil aviation authority initially reported no security concerns during Gosselin’s landing, but communication was lost shortly after the plane touched down.
Military spokesperson Wirya Artadiguna confirmed that the separatist group orchestrated the attack, and the body of the American pilot was recovered and evacuated.
In a statement to the Associated Press, rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom explained that the flight violated their ban on civilian aircraft in claimed operational territories.
Indonesia’s armed forces, Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), disclosed that a 10-person unit from Habema Operations Command carried out the evacuation of Gosselin’s body on July 2.
Habema Operations Command is a collaborative effort between the Indonesian military and police.
Security forces in Indonesia are actively pursuing the individuals responsible for the attack on the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft. The response includes securing the airfield through a special operation and conducting a tactical search-and-rescue mission, according to TNI.
A LinkedIn profile under the name Nick Goselin identified him as a pilot in command for Associated Mission Aviation, based in Papua, Indonesia, and previously employed as a pilot in Alaska.