Cartenz Task Force: Suspect in US Pilot's Murder from Bakusip Mbalingga Group

The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force has confirmed that the armed criminal group (KKB) responsible for the shooting that killed American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin is the Bakusip group. Bakusip is a new group led by M. Mbalingga. “From a number of social media posts, Bakusip claims to be part of the group led by Elkius Kobak in the Yahukimo region,” said Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, Senior Commissioner IGG Era Adhinata, in Jayapura, Papua, on Saturday. Era said that since the shooting occurred on Thursday (2/7), the task force has conducted a series of investigations, including witness examinations, interviews, information gathering, and social media monitoring. The Cartenz Damai Task Force is still investigating the relationship between the Bakusip group and Elkius Kobak’s group. Shortly after the incident, M. Mbalingga issued a statement claiming responsibility for the action. Subsequently, Elkius Kobak also issued a similar statement, and the perpetrators displayed a photo of themselves standing on the burned PT AMA aircraft. “Based on identification, the perpetrator is confirmed to be M. Mbalingga,” said the Task Force Head. Investigators are still looking into the motive for the attack, although in a social media recording, the KKB had previously issued threats against aviation activities entering what they claim as their area of operation. “Investigators are continuing to probe to determine the motive for the attack that killed pilot Nicholas Goselin, who was flying a Pilatus aircraft belonging to AMA,” Era Adhinata said. Meanwhile, the TNI’s Habema Operations Command is pursuing the perpetrators of the pilot’s murder and the burning of the AMA Air plane at Ipdeheik Airstrip, Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on Thursday (2/7). Head of Information for Koops TNI Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. M. Wirya Arthadiguna, stated that based on initial information received by security forces, the murder of the pilot and the burning of the PT AMA Air plane were carried out by the OPM XVI/Yahukimo group led by Elkius Kobak. “Following up on the incident, the Koops TNI Habema patrol team immediately conducted sweeps and pursuits of the perpetrators to maintain the security situation and support the law enforcement process,” Wirya said in a written statement on Friday (3/7).