TPNPB Claims to Have Shot Dead US Pilot and Burned Aircraft in Yahukimo

The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed to have shot a pilot who was a United States citizen. They also stated that they had set fire to a civilian aircraft in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, on Thursday (2/7/2026). In a press release received on Thursday, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the action was carried out by TPNPB troops from the XVI Yahukimo Regional Defence Command. The group identified the pilot victim as Nicholas F Goselin, a US citizen. The TPNPB also claimed to have burned one aircraft unit belonging to PT AMA. According to the group, the action was taken because the civilian aircraft was deemed to have violated an ultimatum previously issued by the TPNPB regarding a ban on aviation activities in what they call their operational area. In its statement, the TPNPB accused civilian aircraft of frequently being used to transport Indonesian military personnel and logistics to the interior regions of Papua, which are the sites of security operations. “All TPNPB operational areas across the 36 Regional Defence Commands throughout the Land of Papua strictly prohibit aviation activities because civilian aircraft always drop Indonesian military troops and logistics in the interior of Papua to conduct military operations that have killed many indigenous Papuan civilians,” Sebby said. The Commander of TPNPB’s XVI Yahukimo Regional Defence Command, Brigadier General Elkius Kobak, as quoted in the press release, claimed the shooting of the pilot was carried out on his orders. He stated that his group had previously issued a ban on civilian aircraft entering the TPNPB operational area in Yahukimo. The TPNPB also issued an appeal to the governments of the United States, the Netherlands, the United Nations, and the Indonesian Government to open space for international negotiations to resolve the conflict in Papua, which they say has been ongoing for decades. Furthermore, the group again warned airlines and civilian pilots not to enter areas they categorise as operational zones. The TPNPB threatened to carry out similar actions against civilian aircraft deemed to be assisting the distribution of Indonesian military personnel and logistics in Papua. In the same statement, the TPNPB claimed its troops had left the scene heading towards Dekai and asked security forces not to conduct operations against civilians. The group stated that security forces should pursue TPNPB troops, not take action against the community.