Separatist insurgents have killed an American pilot and set his plane ablaze in the Papua region of Indonesia, intending to convey a message, according to their leaders.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the death of Nicholas F Gosselin, a pilot employed by Indonesian aviation company PT AMA, following his landing in the Highland Papua province on Thursday.
The rebels alleged that civilian pilots were facilitating the transport of Indonesian troops into the area, asserting that Gosselin’s demise was a deliberate communication. In contrast, Gosselin’s friend, Kenneth Jagers, refuted these claims on social media, portraying Gosselin as engaged in a selfless humanitarian mission.
The Indonesian military refuted allegations that the aircraft was carrying troops, stating that the seven passengers on board were Indigenous Papuan civilians, including three women, who were unharmed.
The longstanding conflict in underprivileged Papua between Indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces has intensified in recent times, resulting in numerous casualties among rebels, security personnel, and civilians. Foreign pilots have become prime targets for the insurgents.
Indonesia’s civil aviation authority confirmed that there were no security issues upon Gosselin’s initial landing, but communication was subsequently lost with the airstrip.
Wirya Artadiguna, a military spokesperson in Papua, verified that the separatist group had executed the attack and confirmed the retrieval and evacuation of the American pilot’s body.
A spokesperson for the rebels, Sebby Sambom, informed the Associated Press that the group viewed the flight as a breach of their ban on civilian aircraft in territories they claim as their operational domain.
The Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Indonesia’s armed forces, announced that a 10-person unit from Habema Operations Command had successfully evacuated Gosselin’s remains on July 2.
Habema Operations Command operates as a joint initiative involving the Indonesian military and police.
Indonesian security forces are actively pursuing those responsible for the assault on the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft, with operations in place to secure the airfield and conduct a search-and-rescue mission, as per TNI reports.
A LinkedIn profile linked to Nick Goselin indicated that he served as a pilot in command for Associated Mission Aviation in Papua, Indonesia, having previously worked as a pilot in Alaska.