TNI to Deploy More Troops in Yahukimo Following Pilot Shooting

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will increase defence personnel at several points deemed vulnerable in Papua. The deployment of additional troops follows the shooting of a pilot and the burning of an AMA airline aircraft in Balinggaman, Sobaham District, Yahukimo, Papua, on Thursday, 2 July 2026. Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command III, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, stated that security posts in the area have been limited, including at the location where the incident occurred. “It is true that there was no security post in Balinggaman, the scene of the shooting of pilot Nicholas Gosselin,” he said, as reported by Antara on Sunday, 5 July 2026. According to Lucky, the nearest security post from the incident location is approximately 40 kilometres away across mountainous terrain. Lucky noted the situation is similar to the attack on a Smart Air aircraft at Korowai Airstrip, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, on 12 February, which killed two crew members. On that basis, Lucky said the TNI will evaluate which areas require additional security posts, particularly in regions served by pioneer flights. Lucky stated his party will coordinate with the Bishop of Jayapura, Yanuarius You. “Perhaps we can collaborate to identify areas needing reinforcement and thickening of personnel,” he said. Previously, an American pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, was shot dead by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM). Nicholas was shot whilst flying an aircraft owned by PT AMA in the Sobaham District area, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on Thursday, 2 July 2026. TPNPB central headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the shooting of the US passport-holding pilot and the arson were carried out by TPNPB militia from Kodap XVI Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak. The aircraft piloted by Nicholas was executed because it was suspected of carrying logistics for TNI troops in Papua. “We shot it as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly in the land of Papua,” Sambom said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026. He explained that 36 TPNPB regional defence commands (Kodap) have issued a flight ban in their respective areas for 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 frequently used to transport TNI personnel or logistics to remote parts of Papua. “They bring the TNI, send logistics and weapons to carry out military operations that make the Papuan people suffer. We prohibit that,” he said.