Cartenz Peace Task Force Pursues Seven KKB Suspects in AMA Pilot Shooting
Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force is continuing its pursuit of seven members of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) identified as suspects in the shooting of pilot Nicholas Goselin and the burning of an AMA aircraft in Balinggala, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua.
The seven suspects involved in the shooting of the AMA pilot are identified by the initials MB, AB, LS, DA, NS, KB, and SP. They have all been placed on the most wanted list (DPO).
“The 2026 Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force is continuing the pursuit and coordinating with all ranks to apprehend them,” said the Head of the Damai Cartenz Operation Law Enforcement Task Force, Police Commissioner IGG Era Adhinata, confirmed in Jayapura on Wednesday.
He stated that based on the evidence collected, the suspects are alleged to have jointly committed the murder of the American national pilot and burned a civilian aircraft, an act that has disrupted aviation safety.
The group is estimated to consist of approximately 15 members armed with long-barreled firearms, handguns, and improvised weapons. Investigators are also continuing to probe the group’s network, movement patterns, and weaponry sources.
“The suspects are facing primary charges under Article 459 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20, subsidiary Article 458 in conjunction with Article 20, and/or Article 586 in conjunction with Article 20 regarding murder and/or endangering aviation safety, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years,” he said.
During the crime scene investigation, investigators installed police lines, examined aircraft damage, inspected the location where the victim was found, and collected evidence as part of the investigation process.
Results from the scene showed that the Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter aircraft, registration PK-RCY, sustained 90 per cent damage due to the fire, with the central fuselage being the most severely affected area.
When discovered, the aircraft was still facing the runway, while the remains of pilot Nicholas had been evacuated since Friday (3/7) to Timika, and subsequently to Jayapura.
During the investigation, authorities secured several pieces of evidence, including the charred PK-RCY aircraft, ash and charcoal remains, aircraft body fragments, tyre wire fragments, one 5.56 mm calibre shell casing, and soil samples from around the wreckage for forensic laboratory examination.
Following the crime scene investigation, investigators continued sweeping the surrounding area and discovered a ‘honai’ (traditional hut) suspected to be a KKB base, featuring a sign that read “Military Command Headquarters TPNPB Kodap VII Balinggama.”
Various items were seized from the location, including a noken (traditional bag), a scarf with the West Papua Star motif, camouflage clothing, a belt, a bayonet with its sheath, two machetes, an air rifle, a mobile phone, and a sling bag containing TPNPB documents and membership identities.
The bag also contained several TPNPB membership cards and other documents that are currently undergoing verification and further investigation to determine their connection to the aircraft burning incident and the involved group’s network.
“All evidence from the crime scene and the sweep has been handed over to the identification team of the Papua Regional Police’s Directorate of General Criminal Investigation for forensic laboratory examination, digital forensics, and further analysis to support the evidence in the investigation process,” said Yusuf.