Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region shot dead an American pilot and set his aircraft on fire, with their leaders stating they wanted to send a 'message'. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for killing Nicholas F Gosselin, a pilot for Indonesian aviation company PT AMA, after he landed in Highland Papua province on Thursday.
Rebel Claims and Motive
The separatists allege that civilian pilots have been transporting Indonesian troops into the area, and stated that Gosselin's death sent 'a message'. In a statement, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom told the Associated Press the group considered the flight a violation of its ban on civilian aircraft in areas it claims as operational territory.
However, Gosselin's friend, Kenneth Jagers, said on social media that his pal was not involved in this and was on a 'selfless' humanitarian mission.
Indonesian Military Response
The Indonesian military denied that the plane was transporting troops, according to AP, and said the seven passengers aboard were Indigenous Papuan civilians, including three women, who were unharmed. Wirya Artadiguna, a military spokesperson in Papua, confirmed the separatist group had carried out the attack and said the body of the American pilot had been recovered and evacuated.
The Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Indonesia's armed forces, said a 10-person unit from Habema Operations Command evacuated Gosselin's body on July 2. Habema Operations Command is a joint command involving the Indonesian military and police. Indonesian security forces said personnel were pursuing those responsible for the shooting and the burning of the aircraft. The response included a special operation to secure the airfield and a tactical search-and-rescue effort, according to TNI.
Background of Insurgency
A decades-old insurgency in impoverished Papua between Indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces has spiked in the past year, with dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians killed. The rebels have especially targeted foreign pilots. Indonesia's civil aviation authority has said there were no security concerns raised when Gosselin first brought the plane in to land, but soon contact was lost with the airstrip.
A LinkedIn profile under the name Nick Gosselin said he was pilot in command for Associated Mission Aviation, based in Papua, Indonesia, and previously worked as an Alaska pilot.
