Seven Passengers Survive After Armed Criminal Group Attacks PT AMA Aircraft
Commander of the III Joint Regional Defence Command, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, stated that seven passengers of the PT AMA aircraft, registration number PK-RCY, survived an attack by members of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands.
The seven passengers have been identified as Eston Sibolim, Kwenang Sobolim, Tonu Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga, and Faince Amohoso.
“We express our deepest gratitude to the traditional leaders, community figures, religious leaders, and the local community who were involved in the evacuation process of Captain Nicholas’s remains, as well as those who helped secure the seven aircraft passengers,” Lucky said in an official statement on Friday, 3 July 2026.
The TNI has also successfully evacuated the remains of Nicholas F. Goselin (29), an American pilot. The body will undergo funeral preparations before being handed over to the family and PT AMA.
“We, and indeed all of us, feel the loss and offer our condolences for the death of Captain Nicholas F. Goselin, following this sudden, brutal, and deadly attack by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Papua Merdeka Operation (TPNPB-OPM),” said Lucky.
“Prioritising humanitarian values and the interests and wishes of Captain Nicholas’s extended family, both in Indonesia and the United States, the TNI is currently focused on evacuating his remains,” he added.
Furthermore, Lucky confirmed that the AMA aircraft was attacked by the OPM immediately after landing. The perpetrators were identified as the TPNPB-OPM group from the Yahukimo Command, led by Elkius Kobak.
“This heartbreaking event, which exceeds the bounds of humanity and divine values, was carried out by the group led by Elkius Kobak, an act acknowledged by the TPNPB-OPM spokesperson, Sebby Sambom,” he added.
It is understood that the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force suspects the burning of the PT AMA pioneer aircraft at Balinggama Airport, Yahukimo Regency, was carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB).
This suspicion arises because the burnt aircraft was the sole means of air transport connecting the Balinggama community with other regions, and was also used to carry out humanitarian missions and religious services.
The Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation Public Relations Task Force, Police Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, stated that it is highly unlikely that local civilians would carry out an action that directly harms their own community.