AMERICAN PILOT SHOT DEAD BY INDONESIAN SEPARATISTS IN PAPUA

Nicholas F Gosselin, an American pilot, was shot dead and his aircraft set on fire by armed separatists in the Yahukimo region of Highland Papua, Indonesia. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), a separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Gosselin's body was recovered by the military on Friday. Seven Papuan passengers were reported to have been on board the aircraft at the time.

The TPNPB stated through a spokesperson that the attack constituted a "message" directed at the United States and Indonesian governments over their handling of the conflict. The group alleged that Gosselin's aircraft had regularly transported Indonesian military personnel and warned of further attacks if civilian planes continued operating in areas controlled by the separatists. Wirya Artadiguna, a military spokesperson in Papua, confirmed the separatist group's involvement in the incident and stated that the military is conducting searches for those responsible and for the passengers reportedly aboard.

The shooting occurs within the context of a long-standing armed conflict in Papua centred on independence. According to military sources, attacks by independence fighters have become more frequent and deadly in recent years. A New Zealand pilot was kidnapped by separatists in 2023, marking a previous significant incident in the region. The military has initiated operations to locate the perpetrators.