Desk : American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, who was killed in an attack by separatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua region, has had his body recovered by Indonesian security forces following a military operation.
According to Indonesian authorities, Goselin was flying a small aircraft operated by local aviation company PT AMA, which provides essential transport services, including food, fuel and mail, to remote villages in Papua. Shortly after landing at the Ipdeheik airstrip in Balinggama village on July 2, armed rebels attacked the aircraft, fatally shot the pilot and set the plane ablaze. Seven indigenous Papuan passengers on board survived the attack unharmed.
The recovery mission was carried out by a 10-member Indonesian military team after securing the remote airstrip. Officials said the operation was completed successfully despite the challenging terrain, and the pilot’s body has been evacuated for further procedures.
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement. The group alleged that the aircraft had been transporting Indonesian military personnel into areas under its control, a claim strongly denied by the Indonesian military, which maintained that the flight was purely civilian.
The incident highlights the continuing insurgency in Papua, where separatist violence has intensified in recent years. Rebel groups have repeatedly targeted aircraft operating in remote parts of the province, making aviation one of the most dangerous aspects of providing essential services to isolated communities.