An American pilot was killed after separatist fighters attacked and burned a civilian aircraft in Indonesia's eastern Papua region, according to a spokesperson for the rebel group. Indonesian authorities confirmed the aircraft was found destroyed, though they said they were still working to determine exactly what happened.
The incident took place after the plane landed in Yahukimo, in Highland Papua province. Indonesia's Transportation Ministry said the aircraft had departed from Wamena carrying one pilot and seven passengers before communications stopped shortly after landing. The passengers were all Papuans.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), identified the pilot as Nicholas F. Gosselin. He said rebel fighters shot the American pilot, then set the aircraft on fire after it landed.
Sambom claimed the plane had been "frequently dropping Indonesian military personnel and violating the TPNPB’s ultimatum."
Yusuf Sutejo, a spokesperson for Indonesia's joint police-military operations in Papua, said authorities located the burned aircraft at an airport in Yahukimo. He said officials could not yet confirm whether separatist rebels carried out the attack or whether the American pilot had been killed.
According to Sambom, the assault was intended as a warning to both Indonesia and the United States for "failing to address the root causes of the conflict in Papua between the Indonesian military and the West Papua National Liberation Army." He also said rebel forces would continue carrying out attacks if Indonesia allowed civilian aircraft to enter what the group considers rebel-controlled red zones.
A video released by the TPNPB showed armed rebels carrying firearms and axes while raising the Morning Star flag, a symbol associated with Papuan independence, as they announced the attack.
The aircraft belonged to airline operator PT AMA, whose fleet transports food, fuel, and mail to isolated communities across Papua, according to the company's website.
Papua has experienced a decades-long separatist insurgency, with violence increasing in recent years as rebel groups have obtained more advanced weapons. In 2023, Papuan rebels abducted New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens after his aircraft landed in the remote district of Nduga. He was released in September 2024.
The incident took place after the plane landed in Yahukimo, in Highland Papua province. Indonesia's Transportation Ministry said the aircraft had departed from Wamena carrying one pilot and seven passengers before communications stopped shortly after landing. The passengers were all Papuans.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), identified the pilot as Nicholas F. Gosselin. He said rebel fighters shot the American pilot, then set the aircraft on fire after it landed.
Sambom claimed the plane had been "frequently dropping Indonesian military personnel and violating the TPNPB’s ultimatum."
Yusuf Sutejo, a spokesperson for Indonesia's joint police-military operations in Papua, said authorities located the burned aircraft at an airport in Yahukimo. He said officials could not yet confirm whether separatist rebels carried out the attack or whether the American pilot had been killed.
According to Sambom, the assault was intended as a warning to both Indonesia and the United States for "failing to address the root causes of the conflict in Papua between the Indonesian military and the West Papua National Liberation Army." He also said rebel forces would continue carrying out attacks if Indonesia allowed civilian aircraft to enter what the group considers rebel-controlled red zones.
A video released by the TPNPB showed armed rebels carrying firearms and axes while raising the Morning Star flag, a symbol associated with Papuan independence, as they announced the attack.
The aircraft belonged to airline operator PT AMA, whose fleet transports food, fuel, and mail to isolated communities across Papua, according to the company's website.
Papua has experienced a decades-long separatist insurgency, with violence increasing in recent years as rebel groups have obtained more advanced weapons. In 2023, Papuan rebels abducted New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens after his aircraft landed in the remote district of Nduga. He was released in September 2024.
