{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1838370,
        "msgid": "three-helicopters-deployed-to-evacuate-slain-us-pilot-1783057815",
        "date": "2026-07-03 11:48:33",
        "title": "Three helicopters deployed to evacuate slain US pilot",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "Indonesian authorities have deployed three helicopters to recover the body of a US pilot killed by separatist fighters in Papua's Yahukimo District. The pilot, working for PT Associated Mission Aviation, died from gunshot wounds after his aircraft was attacked and set alight upon landing. The incident underscores the escalating violence linked to the decades-long insurgency in the region, which has increasingly targeted civilians and aviation personnel.",
        "content": "<p>Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Wirya Artadiguna, spokesperson for the Habema\nJoint Operations Command, said the helicopters were dispatched to\nrecover Goselin\u2019s body. Goselin was a pilot for PT Associated Mission\nAviation (AMA).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe team departed Timika at 6:45 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time, and we\nhope the evacuation proceeds safely and smoothly,\u201d Wirya told ANTARA by\ntelephone from Jayapura on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Wirya said preliminary information indicated the 29-year-old American\npilot died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the separatists, although\nauthorities were awaiting confirmation from personnel at the scene.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe plan is to fly the body directly to Jayapura,\u201d Wirya said.<\/p>\n<p>The attackers also set fire to the Pilatus aircraft, registration\nPK-RCY, after it landed at Balinggama airstrip following a flight from\nWamena carrying seven passengers.<\/p>\n<p>The seven passengers on the Associated Mission Aviation flight were\nidentified as Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina\nSobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Vaince Amo Hoso.<\/p>\n<p>Yahukimo Police Chief Senior Adjunct Commissioner Zet Salino said the\nattackers belonged to the Free Papua Movement (OPM), whose armed wing is\nofficially classified by Indonesian authorities as an armed criminal\ngroup (KKB).<\/p>\n<p>He said the attack occurred in Balinggama village, accessible only by\nair and located about 30 minutes by plane from Dekai, the capital of\nYahukimo District.<\/p>\n<p>Violence linked to the decades-long separatist insurgency in Papua\nhas intensified in recent years, with attacks targeting civilians,\ninfrastructure workers and Indonesian security forces.<\/p>\n<p>One of the highest-profile incidents was the abduction of New Zealand\npilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens in Nduga District on Feb.\u00a07, 2023, by\nfighters led by Egianus Kogoya.<\/p>\n<p>Mehrtens was held captive for more than 18 months before being\nreleased in September 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: US pilot\u2019s body evacuated after Papua separatist\nattack<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Task force: 20 KKB members behind Smart Air shooting in\nSouth Papua<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-helicopters-deployed-to-evacuate-slain-us-pilot-1783057815",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}