{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1840471,
        "msgid": "task-force-confirms-bakusip-group-behind-killing-of-us-pilot-in-papua-1783153210",
        "date": "2026-07-04 14:24:45",
        "title": "Task force confirms Bakusip group behind killing of US pilot in Papua",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Legal",
        "summary": "Indonesian authorities have identified the Bakusip faction, led by M. Mbalingga, as responsible for the fatal attack on a US pilot in Highland Papua. The group, which claims affiliation with a network led by Elkius Kobak, targeted a PT Associated Mission Aviation aircraft shortly after it landed in Balinggama Village. Investigators are continuing to probe the motive, while the incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the remote region accessible only by air.",
        "content": "<p>The group is a newly emerged faction led by an individual identified\nas M. Mbalingga.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBased on several social media posts, the Bakusip group claims to be\na part of the network led by Elkius Kobak in the Yahukimo region,\u201d Head\nof the task force Police Chief Commissioner IGG Era Adhinata stated here\non Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>He explained that following the fatal attack on Thursday (July 2),\nthe task force immediately launched a comprehensive investigation,\nincluding questioning witnesses, conducting interviews, gathering\nintelligence, and actively monitoring social media channels.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities are still examining the exact relationship between the\nBakusip group and Elkius Kobak\u2019s established faction.<\/p>\n<p>According to Adhinata, M. Mbalingga claimed responsibility for the\nattack shortly after the incident. Elkius Kobak later released a similar\nstatement, accompanied by a photograph showing the alleged perpetrator\nstanding atop the burned PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA)\naircraft.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBased on our identification process, the perpetrator has been\nconfirmed as M. Mbalingga,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the\nattack. However, a recording circulated on social media shows the armed\ngroup threatening any aircraft operating in the area, which it declared\nas its operational zone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInvestigators are continuing to determine the exact motive behind\nthe attack that killed pilot Nicholas Goselin, who was flying an\nAMA-owned Pilatus aircraft,\u201d Adhinata added.<\/p>\n<p>The attack occurred in Balinggama Village, Yahukimo District,\nHighland Papua Province, an area accessible only by air and located\nabout a 30-minute flight from Dekai, the district capital.<\/p>\n<p>The aircraft was en route from Wamena to Balinggama carrying seven\npassengers: Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina\nSobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga, and Vaince Amo Hoso.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesian police reenact killing of two Brimob\nofficers in Papua<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Task force deployed after Smart Air pilots killed in\nSouth Papua<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Evarukdijati, Uyu Liman<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/task-force-confirms-bakusip-group-behind-killing-of-us-pilot-in-papua-1783153210",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}