TNI Pursues Group That Shot Pilot in Papua
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have deployed soldiers from the ‘Must Succeed’ Operational Command, or Koops Habema, to hunt the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) group, who are suspected of shooting a pioneer aircraft pilot in Yahukimo, Highland Papua.
The Head of Information for Koops Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Wirya Arthadiguna, stated that based on information obtained, the shooting of the pilot and the burning of the aircraft at Balinggama Airport, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, is suspected to have been carried out by the TPNPB group led by Elkius Kobak.
“The Koops Habema patrol team immediately carried out sweeping and pursuit operations against the perpetrators to maintain security 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 continued, the victim’s remains have been evacuated and have arrived in Timika. “Furthermore, the body will be handed over to the authorities for further handling in accordance with applicable procedures,” said Wirya.
Previously, the TPNPB-OPM claimed responsibility for the shooting of the pilot and the burning of the aircraft in Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday, 2 July 2026.
TPNPB central headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated that the shooting of pilot Nicholas F. Goselin was carried out by the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo militia, led by Elkius Kobak.
“We shot [the pilot] as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines will fly in Papua,” Sambom said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026.
He explained that 36 regional defence commands (Kodap) of the TPNPB have issued flight bans in their respective territories to all airlines operating in Papua. The ban is an anticipatory measure by the TPNPB against the deployment of non-organic TNI troops to Papua.
According to Sambom, Indonesian airlines operating in the region, including the PT AMA aircraft that was burned in Yahukimo, are frequently used to transport TNI personnel or logistics to remote areas of Papua.
“They bring the TNI, send logistics and weapons to conduct military operations that cause suffering to the Papuan people. We prohibit that,” he said.
Sambom also stated that the TPNPB has repeatedly issued warnings regarding areas they refer to as war zones. “It is the mistake of the Indonesian government to allow civilian aircraft to enter war zones,” 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, Bintang Mountains, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Paniai, Dogiyai, Deiyai, and Yahukimo Regency.