TNI Pursues Group That Shot Pilot in Papua

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has deployed soldiers from the Habema Operations Command to pursue a group from the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) suspected of shooting a pioneer aircraft pilot in Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan. Head of Information for Koops Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Wirya Arthadiga, stated that based on information received, the shooting of the pilot and the burning of the pioneer aircraft at Balinggama Airstrip, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, were allegedly carried out by a TPNPB group led by Elkius Kobak. “The Koops Habema patrol team is immediately conducting a sweep and pursuit of the perpetrators to maintain the security situation and support the law enforcement process,” Wirya said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026. Regarding the evacuation of the pilot’s body, he added that the victim’s remains have been evacuated and have arrived in Timika. “Subsequently, the body will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further processing in accordance with applicable procedures,” he stated. Previously, TPNPB-OPM claimed responsibility for the shooting of the pilot and the burning of the aircraft in Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, on Thursday, 2 July 2026. TPNPB central headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the shooting of pilot Nicholas F. Goselin was carried out by TPNPB militia from the XVI Yahukimo Regional Defence Command led by Elkius Kobak. “We shot him as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly over Papuan land,” Sambom said in a written statement on Friday. He explained that 36 TPNPB regional defence commands (Kodap) have issued flight bans in their respective areas to all airlines operating in Papua. The ban is a TPNPB precaution against the deployment of non-organic TNI soldiers to Papua. According to Sambom, Indonesian airlines operating in the region, including the PT AMA aircraft burned in Yahukimo, are often used to transport TNI personnel or logistics to remote areas of Papua. “They bring the TNI, send logistics and weapons to carry out military operations that make Papuans suffer. We prohibit that,” he said. Sambom also stated that the TPNPB has repeatedly warned about areas they designate as war zones. “This is the Indonesian government’s mistake for allowing civilian aircraft to enter a war zone,” he said. Since December 2024, the TPNPB has claimed the designation of nine regencies in Papua as war zones, prohibiting civilian access. These nine areas include Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Paniai, Dogiyai, Deiyai, and Yahukimo Regency.