Rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region shot dead an American pilot and set his civilian plane on fire on Thursday, according to a spokesperson for a local separatist group. The attack was described as a “message” to the United States and Indonesian governments amid a long-running low-level battle for independence in the resource-rich western half of Papua.
Attack Details
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), stated that their troops killed American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin and burned his plane after it landed in the Yahukimo region of Highland Papua province. He claimed the aircraft had been “frequently dropping Indonesian military personnel and violating the TPNPB’s ultimatum.”
Yusuf Sutejo, spokesperson for Indonesia’s joint police-military operations in Papua, confirmed that a plane with an American pilot carrying seven passengers was found burned at a local airport in Yahukimo. However, he could not confirm whether the attack was carried out by rebels or if the pilot was killed. All passengers were Papuans, he added.
Message to Governments
The attack in the Balinggama district of Yahukimo was intended as a message to the Indonesian and US governments for “failing to address the root causes of the conflict in Papua between the Indonesian military and the West Papua National Liberation Army,” Sebby said. He warned that rebels would start conducting attacks if Indonesia continues to allow civilian aircraft to enter rebel-controlled red zones of Papua.
According to a video sent by TPNPB, rebels carried guns and axes and raised the “Morning Star” flag, a symbol of independence, while announcing the attack.
Official Responses
The US embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indonesia’s transportation ministry reported that the plane carried one pilot and seven passengers and had flown from Wamena to Yahukimo. Communications ceased after the plane landed. The aircraft is owned by PT AMA, which transports food, fuel, and mail to remote villages in Papua. PT AMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Context of Conflict
Papua has seen a growing number of deadly attacks by independence fighters, who have procured better weaponry. In a previous high-profile case, Papuan rebels kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens after he landed a small commercial plane in Nduga, Highland Papua, before freeing him in 2024.
