Why the OPM Shot a Pilot and Burned a Plane in Yahukimo

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed responsibility for the shooting of a pilot and the burning of an aircraft in Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday, 2 July 2026. TPNPB central headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated that the shooting of the pilot, who held a United States passport, and the arson were carried out by militia from TPNPB’s Kodap XVI Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak. “We shot him 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 claimed that 36 TPNPB Kodap units had warned all airlines operating in Papua about flight bans in their respective areas. The measure was taken as a form of anticipation by the TPNPB against the deployment of non-organic TNI soldiers 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 soldiers or logistics to remote points in 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. Sambom blamed the Indonesian government for the shooting and burning of the plane, claiming it ignored the OPM’s warnings regarding combat zones. “This is the fault of the Indonesian government for allowing civilian aircraft to enter a war zone,” he said. Since December 2024, the TPNPB has claimed the establishment of nine regencies in Papua as war zones. These nine areas include Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Paniai, Dogiyai, Deiyai, and Yahukimo Regency. The Head of Information for Regional Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih, Colonel Tri Purwanto, confirmed the shooting incident involving the American passport holder in Yahukimo. “The chronology is still being investigated by the joint apparatus. However, initial reports indicate that the pilot, named Nicholas F. Goselin alias Mark, died, while seven passengers survived,” Tri said when confirmed via WhatsApp message on Friday.