ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesian authorities on Friday handed over the body of an American pilot to his family and employer after military personnel recovered him from the site of a deadly armed attack that destroyed his aircraft in the remote Papua Highlands Province.
The victim, Nicholas F. Goselin, was piloting a PT AMA Air aircraft when it came under attack shortly after landing at Ipdeheik Airstrip in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, on Thursday morning. The aircraft was subsequently set ablaze, and the pilot was found dead at the scene.
The evacuation was carried out by troops under the Habema Joint Operations Command after security forces secured the airstrip through a rapid-response operation in the mountainous region.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family,” Deputy Commander of the Habema Joint Operations Command Brig. Gen. Riyanto said in an official statement.
“Our priority is to recover the victim, secure the area, protect local communities, and support law enforcement efforts to bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command III, Lt. Gen. Lucky Avianto, said the body was evacuated to the Indonesian Army Hospital in Timika before being formally handed over to the pilot’s family and PT AMA Air.
“The evacuation was successfully completed, and the body has been prepared before being handed over to the family and the airline,” Lucky said.
He added that Indonesian security forces are continuing operations to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack while gathering evidence at the scene.
The armed separatist group West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the shooting and the burning of the aircraft. In a statement, the group’s spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, alleged that the aircraft had entered what the group considers its operational area despite previous warnings to civilian pilots.
He also claimed that some civilian aircraft had been used to transport Indonesian security personnel and logistics—an allegation that has not been independently verified.
Indonesian authorities have not indicated that the aircraft was involved in military operations and said the investigation remains ongoing.
Papua has experienced decades of low-level armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and separatist groups seeking independence. The violence has periodically affected civilian communities and disrupted air services, which are essential for transportation and the delivery of supplies to many isolated highland settlements.
The incident, which resulted in the death of a U.S. citizen, is likely to receive international attention as Indonesian authorities continue their investigation and security operations in the region. (AT Network)
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