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

The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed responsibility for the shooting of a pilot and the burning of an aircraft in the Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday, 2 July 2026.

TPNPB central headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated that the shooting of the US-passport pilot and the arson were 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 land,” Sambom said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026.

He claimed that 36 TPNPB regional commands (Kodap) have warned all airlines operating in Papua regarding flight bans in their respective territories. This measure was taken as an anticipatory step by the TPNPB against the deployment of non-organic TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) soldiers to Papua.

According to Sambom, Indonesian airlines operating in the region, including the PT AMA aircraft that was burnt in Yahukimo, are frequently used to transport TNI soldiers or logistics to remote areas of Papua.

“They bring the TNI, send logistics, and weapons to carry out military operations that cause suffering to the Papuan people. We prohibit that,” he said.

Regarding the shooting and the burning of the aircraft, Sambom blamed the Indonesian government, claiming it ignored the OPM’s warnings regarding combat zones. “This is the fault of the Indonesian government, which allows civilian aircraft to enter war zones,” he added.

Since December 202lar, the TPNPB has claimed that nine regencies in Papua have been designated as war zones. These nine areas include Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Paniai, Dogiyai, Deiyai, and Yahukimo regencies.

The Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawaih Military Regional Command, Colonel Tri Purwanto, confirmed the shooting of the US-passport pilot in Yahukimo.

“The chronology is still being investigated by joint authorities. However, initial reports indicate that the pilot, identified as Nicholas F. Goselin, also known as Mark, has died, while seven passengers managed to survive,” Tri stated when confirmed via WhatsApp on Friday.