Body of American pilot killed in Indonesian separatist conflict recovered
The military is seeking the attackers after rebels said the shooting was a message to the U.S. and Indonesian governments.
- Today, military spokesperson Wirya Artadiguna confirmed the recovery of American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin's body, who was shot dead by separatist insurgents yesterday in the Yahukimo Regency of Highland Papua.
- The West Papua National Liberation Army claimed responsibility through spokesperson Sebby Sambom, stating troops fired on the aircraft because it allegedly transported Indonesian military personnel, violating the group's ultimatum.
- Operated by PT AMA, the aircraft carried seven Papuan passengers while delivering food, fuel, and mail to remote villages; officials confirmed all seven passengers on board were Papuans.
- Rebels described the attack as a "message" to the Indonesian and U.S. governments, while military forces seek the perpetrators and the U.S. embassy in Jakarta declined to comment.
- Escalating conflict in Papua has displaced more than 100,000 people since 2022, and separatist groups have increasingly targeted aviation, including the previous kidnapping of pilot Philip Mehrtens.
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American Mission Pilot Killed In Papua As US Monitors Investigation
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent WASHINGTON/JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Indonesia’s military confirmed Friday it had recovered the body of an American mission pilot who was shot dead by separatist rebels in the country’s restive eastern Papua region, as the U.S. government said it was closely monitoring the investigation. Nicholas F. Goselin, who flew for the Christian mission aviation organization Associated Mission A…
The handover of the bodies was carried out after the TNI evacuated them from the shooting location in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency.
American pilot killed by rebels in Papua, says Indonesian military
Indonesia’s military has recovered the body of an American pilot who was shot dead by rebels in the restive eastern region of Papua, it said on Friday after a separatist group said the attack was a “message” to the US and Indonesian governments.
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