Papuan rebels claim killing of US pilot, torching plane

Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region claimed responsibility on Thursday, July 2, for killing an American pilot and burning his civilian aircraft after it landed in a remote area, an attack they described as a political message to both the Indonesian and United States governments. Indonesian authorities confirmed the aircraft was found destroyed but said an investigation is ongoing and have not independently verified the pilot's death or the rebels' involvement.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) stated its fighters shot American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin and set his plane on fire after it landed near Balinggama village in the Yahukimo regency of Highland Papua province. TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom alleged the aircraft, operated by Indonesian airline PT AMA, had repeatedly violated the group's ban on civilian flights in areas it controls, claiming it was used to transport Indonesian military personnel and logistics. He said the attack was a message regarding the failure to address the root causes of the decades-long conflict.

Indonesian officials confirmed a burned aircraft was discovered at a local airstrip in Yahukimo. The plane was carrying the pilot...