Key facts
- Rebels in Indonesia's Papua region shot dead an American pilot, Nicholas F. Gosselin.
- The rebels also burned the civilian aircraft after it landed.
- The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility, stating the pilot violated a flight ban.
- The TPNPB alleged the aircraft was used to transport Indonesian military personnel and logistics.
- The TPNPB described the incident as a message to the U.S. and Indonesian governments regarding the conflict in Papua.
Rebels in Indonesia's restive easternmost region of Papua shot dead an American pilot and set a civilian plane on fire, with a spokesperson for a local separatist group describing the act as a "message" to the U.S. and Indonesian governments. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed their troops shot dead American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin and burned his plane after it landed in the Yahukimo region of Highland Papua province. Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the TPNPB, stated 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, but could not confirm rebel involvement or the pilot's death. All passengers were Papuans, he said.
Sambom said the attack was intended as a message to the Indonesian and U.S. governments for "failing to address the root causes of the conflict in Papua between the Indonesian military and the West Papua National Liberation Army." He added that rebels would begin conducting attacks if Indonesia continues to allow civilian aircraft into rebel-controlled red zones of Papua. The TPNPB released a video showing rebels carrying guns and axes and raising the "Morning Star" flag, a symbol of independence, while announcing the attack.
The U.S. embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indonesia's transportation ministry stated the aircraft, owned by airline operator PT AMA, had flown from Wamena to Yahukimo and that communications ceased after landing. PT AMA, whose planes carry essential supplies to remote villages, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a similar high-profile case, Papuan rebels kidnapped and later freed New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in 2024.