Indonesian military secure Papua airstrip after pilot's killing
Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, commander of Joint Regional Defense Command III, told ANTARA in Jayapura on Saturday evening that Indonesian Air Force special forces personnel have been stationed at the airstrip to ensure aircraft could resume operations safely.
He said Balinggama airstrip, located in Sobaham Subdistrict of Papua Highlands Province, was now under military protection, allowing flight services to resume after security conditions improved.
“I flew there earlier today and inspected the site,” Avianto said.
In addition to deploying troops, the military has cleared the wreckage of an Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) aircraft that was destroyed in a recent attack by an armed separatist group, he said.
The aircraft’s American pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, was killed in the attack, which occurred on July 2, 2026, according to Avianto.
He said the aircraft wreckage, which had been lying on the airstrip, was moved off the runway to the side of the airstrip to prevent it from obstructing aircraft operations.
“The wreckage has been relocated to a safe area so it no longer blocks the runway, allowing flights to resume operations and restore essential services to local residents,” Avianto said.
The deployment aims to restore air access to isolated communities that depend on air transportation for passengers, food supplies and other essential goods in Papua’s mountainous interior.
Authorities have increased security around several remote airstrips in the region following attacks on civilian aviation, which they say are vital for connecting communities that have limited access by road.
The Indonesian government refers to the armed separatists as Armed Criminal Groups or KKB.
The groups have intensified attacks across Indonesia’s easternmost provinces in recent years, targeting civilians, workers, and security forces in a campaign intended to spread fear and undermining state authority.
The armed groups have frequently used hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian troops and staged assaults on civilians in districts including Intan Jaya, Nduga, Yahukimo, and Puncak.
Targets have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi drivers, teachers, students, food vendors, and civilian aircraft crews.
Notable incidents include December 2, 2018: Rebels killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya building the Trans Papua highway in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak, Yigi Subdistrict, Nduga District.
February 7, 2023: New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya after landing a Susi Air flight in Nduga District. His aircraft was then set on fire.
April 2025: Sixteen illegal gold miners were shot dead by an armed group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua.
July 2, 2026: American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, was fatally shot by an armed separatist group after landing in Balinggama, Yahukimo District, in Indonesia’s Highland Papua Province.
The attackers also set fire to the Pilatus aircraft, which had flown from Wamena to Balinggama carrying seven passengers.
The seven passengers were identified as Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Vaince Amo Hoso.
Related news: Highland Papua drafts peace regulations to prevent tribal wars
Related news: Indonesia, PNG strengthen border cooperation through power talks
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution