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 US national Nicholas F. Goselin is the Bakusip group.

Bakusip is a new group led by M. Mbalingga. “From several social media posts, Bakusip claims to be part of the group led by Elkius Kobak in the Yahukimo region,” said the Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, Police Commissioner IGG Era Adhinata, in Jayapura, Papua, on Saturday.

Ega stated that since the shooting occurred on Thursday (2/7), the Task Force has conducted a series of investigations through witness examinations, interviews, information gathering, and social media monitoring. The Cartenz Peace Task Force is currently investigating the relationship between the Bakudip group and the Elkius Kobak group.

Shortly after the incident, M. Mbalingga released a statement claiming responsibility for the action. Elkius Kobak subsequently released a similar statement, and the perpetrators displayed photos standing atop the PT AMA aircraft that had been burnt.

“Based on identification, the perpetrator has been confirmed as M. Mbalingga,” said the Task Force Chief.

Regarding the motive for the attack, investigators are still conducting further research, although social media recordings show the KKB issuing threats against flight activities entering the region, which they claim as their operational area. “Investigators are still looking deeper to determine the motive behind the attack that resulted in the death of pilot Nicholas Goselin, who was flying an AMA Pilatus aircraft,” said Era Adhinata.

Meanwhile, the TNI Habema Command is hunting the perpetrators of the pilot’s shooting and the burning of the AMA Air aircraft at Ipdeheik Airport, Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday (2/7).

The Head of the TNI Habema Command, Lt. Col. 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 aircraft were carried out by the OPM XVI/Yahukimo group led by Elkius Kobak.

“Following up on the incident, the TNI Habema Command patrol team immediately conducted sweeps and pursuits of the perpetrators to maintain security and support the law enforcement process,” Wirya said in a written statement on Friday (3/7).