Body of US Pilot Burned by Armed Criminal Group in Yahukimo Handed Over to AMA
The Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command (Kogabwilhan) III, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, handed over the body of American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin to the Bishop of Jayapura, Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, representing PT AMA, at the Silas Papare Air Force Base Operations Centre in Sentani, Jayapura Regency. The handover was witnessed by several military officials.
According to Antara, the body of Nicholas was evacuated by personnel from the TNI Habema Operations Command from the site of the incident in Balinggama and flown to Timika before continuing to Jayapura.
Lucky stated that with the handover of pilot Nicholas’s body to AMA, the evacuation process was declared complete. He expressed regret over the incident that claimed the life of the Pilatus aircraft pilot who was serving communities in a remote area of Papua.
“We have witnessed a release from the armed criminal group led by Elkius Kobak claiming responsibility for the attack on the pilot who was carrying out a humanitarian mission serving the community,” said Lucky.
He said all TNI soldiers on duty would carry out their task of guarding and securing the land of Papua. “The TNI will continue to maintain security in the land of Papua so that it remains safe,” he said.
Bishop of Jayapura Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, who also serves as President Commissioner of PT AMA, said that AMA, which has a humanitarian mission, has never carried TNI, Polri, or armed criminal group personnel, contrary to rumours circulating on social media.
AMA contributes to improving civilisation and human development in the interior of Papua through a purely humanitarian mission, and therefore its flight services have never carried TNI or Polri personnel.
“Our mission is a noble mission to preach the Gospel, so we always maintain neutrality,” said Bishop You.
After the handover, the body of pilot Nicholas was immediately taken to the AMA hangar for a joint service and then escorted to the Bhayangkara Hospital in Jayapura. A team of doctors at Bhayangkara Hospital is currently performing an autopsy on Nicholas’s body.