3) Minister condemns killing of US pilot, pursues armed group in Papua
6) Four civilians reported killed in shootings in Intan Jaya over the past week
Goselin, who had been flying with the aviation mission for three years, was one of 16 pilots employed by the company.
"We have flown Nicholas' body to Jakarta on a GIA (Garuda Indonesia Airways), and the US Embassy will handle the subsequent arrangements," President Director of PT AMA Bob Kayadu told ANTARA here on Saturday.
The pilot was fatally shot in an attack by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Sobaham Subdistrict, Yahukimo District, Papua Pegunungan Province, on Thursday (July 2).
He was piloting an AMA Pilatus Porter aircraft when the attack occurred shortly after he landed at Balinggama Airstrip.
Related news: Task force: 20 KKB members behind Smart Air shooting in South Papua
Following the shooting, the armed group set the aircraft on fire, rendering it completely inoperable.
Prior to the incident, AMA operated a fleet of eight Pilatus Porter and Cessna Caravan aircraft. "Currently, AMA is left with seven aircraft and 15 pilots, which includes several other foreign nationals," Kayadu noted.
He stated that Thursday's attack marked the first time an AMA aircraft had been targeted in the company's 67-year history of serving the Papuan region.
He also emphasized the company's strict neutrality, pointing out that the AMA fleet exclusively serves local civilian communities in the remote hinterlands of Papua.
The airline has never transported personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), or armed groups.
“AMA only provides public services to the community, helping them to visit various isolated regions that can only be accessed by small aircraft," he said.
Related news: Task force confirms Bakusip group behind killing of US pilot in Papua
Translator: Evarukdijati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
There was no security post at the location when the shooting occurred on Thursday (July 2), Lucky told ANTARA in Jayapura on Saturday.
According to him, the nearest security post is located about 40 kilometers from the scene across mountainous terrain.
Lucky said a similar situation occurred during the attack on a Smart Air aircraft at Korowai Airstrip in Boven Digoel District, South Papua Province, on February 12, 2026, in which two crew members were killed.
The TNI will therefore evaluate security arrangements in areas without security posts, particularly those served by pioneer aviation routes.
"We have conveyed this to Jayapura Bishop Yanuarius You. We hope to collaborate in identifying areas that require additional security personnel and reinforced security measures," Lucky said.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen protection for local communities while ensuring the continuity of essential services in remote areas.
"The deployment of security personnel at these locations is expected to provide a greater sense of security so that communities can continue to receive essential services," he said.
Earlier, on Friday (July 3, 2026), personnel from the Habema Joint Operations Command (Koops Habema) evacuated the body of AMA Airways pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, who was shot dead by an armed criminal group (KKB) shortly after landing a Pilatus Porter aircraft at Balinggama Airstrip in Sobaham Sub-district, Papua Pegunungan Province.
Related news: Minister condemns killing of US pilot, pursues armed group in Papua
Related news: US Embassy assists repatriation of pilot's body to Jakarta
Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: Primayanti
"I strongly condemn the burning of the aircraft and the heinous act against the AMA aircraft pilot, which is strongly suspected to have been carried out by the KKB," Djamari said in a press release received here on Friday.
According to Djamari, the perpetrators must be dealt with firmly, as they had killed someone and threatened the security of the Papuan people.
The ministry, says Djamari, will encourage the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to continue pursuing the perpetrators and take firm action.
He also called on the TNI and Polri to strengthen airport security to ensure the safety of flight activities in Papua.
Meanwhile, the Habema Joint Regional Defense Command is currently pursuing the separatist group that killed Goselin in Balinggama Village, Yahukimo District, Papua Pegunungan Province.
The pursuit operation was launched after the Habema Command successfully evacuated the body of the US pilot from the shooting site.
"The evacuation operation involved 10 Habema Command personnel, supported by two Caracal helicopters. The entire process was carried out by prioritizing security and precision, considering that the operation took place in a mountainous area with a high level of difficulty," Head of Information of the Habema Command Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Wirya Arthadiguna said.
After the evacuation, Wirya said the pilot's body was taken to Timika, Central Papua, to be handed over to the authorities in accordance with applicable procedures.
Wirya said the security officers had identified the group responsible for Goselin's death.
"The murder of the pilot and the burning of the PT AMA aircraft were carried out by the OPM XVI/Yahukimo group led by Elkius Kobak," Wirya added.
The Habema Command is gathering various leads to determine the location of the separatist group. At the same time, Habema personnel have also been deployed to tighten surveillance at the shooting site.
The effort is to prevent any follow-up attacks that could threaten the local residents.
The officers also conduct patrols and continue to synergize with all related elements to ensure public security and secure the pioneer flight services in Papua.
The killing occurred on Thursday (July 2) at 06:50 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time after the aircraft landed at Ipdeheik Airstrip, Balinggama Village, Sobaham Subdistrict.
The aircraft was burned after the perpetrators' attack, while the pilot was declared dead after being shot at the location.
Related news: Indonesian troops seize arms after clash in Central Papua
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Related news: Task force: 20 KKB members behind Smart Air shooting in South Papua
Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Wirya Artadiguna, spokesperson for the Habema Joint Operations Command, said the helicopters were dispatched to recover Goselin's body. Goselin was a pilot for PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA).
"The team departed Timika at 6:45 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time, and we hope the evacuation proceeds safely and smoothly," Wirya told ANTARA by telephone from Jayapura on Friday.
Wirya said preliminary information indicated the 29-year-old American pilot died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the separatists, although authorities were awaiting confirmation from personnel at the scene.
"The plan is to fly the body directly to Jayapura," Wirya said.
The attackers also set fire to the Pilatus aircraft, registration PK-RCY, after it landed at Balinggama airstrip following a flight from Wamena carrying seven passengers.
The seven passengers on the Associated Mission Aviation flight were identified as Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Vaince Amo Hoso.
Yahukimo Police Chief Senior Adjunct Commissioner Zet Salino said the attackers belonged to the Free Papua Movement (OPM), whose armed wing is officially classified by Indonesian authorities as an armed criminal group (KKB).
He said the attack occurred in Balinggama village, accessible only by air and located about 30 minutes by plane from Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo District.
Violence linked to the decades-long separatist insurgency in Papua has intensified in recent years, with attacks targeting civilians, infrastructure workers and Indonesian security forces.
One of the highest-profile incidents was the abduction of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens in Nduga District on Feb. 7, 2023, by fighters led by Egianus Kogoya.
Mehrtens was held captive for more than 18 months before being released in September 2024.
Related news: US pilot's body evacuated after Papua separatist attack
Related news: Task force: 20 KKB members behind Smart Air shooting in South Papua
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
Jayapura, Jubi – Autopsy results at Bhayangkara Hospital in Kotaraja, Jayapura City, Papua Province, state that the pilot of an aircraft belonging to Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), Nicholas F. Goselin (29), died as a result of gunshot wounds.
This was confirmed by the Head of Bhayangkara Hospital, Senior Commissioner Dr. Rommy Sebastian, during a press conference following the autopsy of the victim’s body at Bhayangkara Hospital in Kotaraja, Jayapura City, Papua, on Friday night (7/3/2026).
According to Rommy Sebastian, the autopsy results showed the presence of wounds and a fracture of the lower jawbone on the right side caused by blunt force trauma, and only one gunshot.
There was a gunshot wound with a diameter of 9 millimeters, and gunpowder residue was found near the victim’s neck. However, the type of weapon and bullet used could not yet be identified.
He said open wounds were also found on the head, forehead, left cheek, and the area around the right ear. There were abrasions on the right side of the head, signs of fractures on the upper jawbone on both the left and right sides, and a fracture of the lower jawbone on the right side caused by blunt force trauma.
“The open wound found on the left cheek is consistent with a gunshot entry wound, with the muzzle of the weapon positioned perpendicular to the surface of the skin. So it entered from the left side, then exited on the right side, causing the [victim’s] right cheekbone to fracture,” said Rommy Sebastian.
Rommy Sebastian explained that X-ray results on the victim’s body showed a fracture in the deep base structure of the skull.
“This is what caused the victim to die instantly, or die very quickly,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Public Relations Task Force of Cartenz Peace Operation (ODC) 2026, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, expressed deep condolences over the shooting of the American pilot and the burning of the aircraft belonging to PT AMA at the airstrip in Balinggama Village, Sobahan District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on Thursday (7/2/2026).
“This autopsy was carried out to help clarify the incident more clearly,” said Yusuf Sutejo.
He said his side would carry out further investigation related to processing the crime scene and other matters, in order to complete the case file to clarify the incident.
He emphasized that regarding the allegation that the AMA airline was used to transport TNI-Polri personnel, Yusuf said this was a form of provocation and propaganda.
His side had already communicated with the AMA airline. The airline stated that it had been serving the interior of the Land of Papua for 67 years, and that this was the first time such an incident had occurred.
“So [the airline] PT AMA is purely carrying out religious activities, activities related to churches, especially in the interior of Papua,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Law Enforcement Task Force of ODC 2026, Senior Commissioner Era Adinta, said that following the incident, his side immediately carried out investigations, interviews, examinations, and monitored social media.
Their preliminary conclusion is that the act was carried out by the West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB, Regional Defense Command, or Kodap XVI Yahukimo.
“This is a new armed criminal group [KKB], namely the Bakusip. KKB group led by M. Balingga. Based on monitoring on social media, [they] stated they are subordinates of Elkius Kobak [of] Kodap XVI Yahukimo. However, regarding the connection with Elkius Kobak, we will look into it further,” said Era Adinta.
According to Era Adinta, after the incident, Elkius Kobak’s group issued a statement claiming responsibility for the shooting of the pilot, and a photo of the perpetrator on top of the AMA aircraft after it had landed was also found.
“We can confirm that [the perpetrator] is M. Balingga, [who belongs to] a new [group]. We know the Bakusip KKB group is new and its profile is new, so there isn’t much we recognize about them,” he said. (*)
6) Four civilians reported killed in shootings in Intan Jaya over the past week
Jayapura, Jubi – Four civilians in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, have reportedly been killed in separate shooting incidents over the past week, including an unborn child. The incidents occurred between June 29 and July 2, 2026.
A Jubi source in Intan Jaya, Marten Weya, identified the victims as shepherd Elianus Agimbau, young man Okto Tigau, and Melkiana Duwitau, who was seven months pregnant.
Duwitau and her unborn child were killed after she was struck by gunfire while inside her home in Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya Regency, on Thursday (July 2).
“Over the past week, non-organic Indonesian military personnel in Intan Jaya have allegedly killed four civilians. One of them was an unborn child who died in the womb,” Weya told Jubi in a voice message on Friday (July 3).
According to Weya, the series of deadly incidents sparked growing public anger in Intan Jaya, culminating in widespread protests following the deaths of Duwitau and her unborn child.
Thousands of residents, joined by students and university students, staged a protest on Friday, calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the shootings.
“We, the people of Intan Jaya, demand that this case be fully investigated and resolved immediately,” Weya said.
Protesters carried the bodies of Duwitau and her unborn child—who was delivered during emergency surgery at Intan Jaya Regional General Hospital (RSUD)—to the Sugapa football field on Friday afternoon before taking them to the family home in Wandoga Village, Sugapa District.
Weya, who served as the protest’s field coordinator, said residents, school students, and university students demanded that those responsible for the shootings be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The demonstrators also urged the Intan Jaya Regency Government to facilitate an independent investigation into what they alleged were human rights violations.
They further called on the local administration to arrange direct talks involving students and other community representatives with Indonesia’s Minister of Defence and President regarding what they described as a military emergency in Intan Jaya.
Weya said that if alleged human rights violations and shootings of civilians continue, residents would demand that Intan Jaya Regency be administratively reintegrated into Paniai Regency, from which it was originally carved out.
A university student in Intan Jaya, Yance Pogau, said Duwitau was taken to Intan Jaya Regional General Hospital after she was shot.
