TNI to Deploy More Troops in Yahukimo Following Pilot Shooting
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will increase defence personnel at several high-risk locations in Papua. This deployment follows the shooting of a pilot and the burning of an aircraft belonging to AMA airlines in Balinggaman, Sobaham District, Yahukimo, Papua, on Thursday, 2 July 2026.
The Commander of the III Regional Joint Defence Command, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, stated that security posts in the area have been limited, including at the site of the shooting incident. “It is true that in Balinggaman, where the shooting of pilot Nicholas Gosselin occurred, there was no security post,” he said, as reported by Antara on Sunday, 5 July 2026.
According to Lucky, the nearest security post to the incident is approximately 40 kilometres away, navigating difficult mountainous terrain. Lucky noted that this situation is similar to the attack on a Smart Air aircraft at Korowai Airport, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, on 12 February, which resulted in the deaths of two crew members.
Based on this, Lucky stated that the TNI will evaluate which regions require additional security posts, particularly in areas serving pioneer flights. He added that his office would coordinate with the Bishop of Jayapura, Yanuarius You, to identify areas needing increased troop presence.
Previously, American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin was shot dead by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM). Nicholas was shot while operating an aircraft owned by PT AMA in the Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday, 2 July 2026.
TPNPB headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated that the shooting of the American passport holder and the subsequent burning of the aircraft were carried out by the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo militia, led by Elkius Kobak. The aircraft operated by Nicholas was targeted because it was allegedly transporting TNI logistics in Papua.
“We shot him 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 across 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 PT AMA, have frequently been used to transport TNI personnel or logistics to remote parts of Papua. “They carry the TNI, and send logistics and weapons to conduct military operations that cause suffering to the Papuan people. We prohibit that,” he said.