Evacuation of AMA pilot Nicholas F. Goselin’s body, killed by an armed criminal group in Papua on July 3, 2026. (Istimewa)
The US Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) pilot was murdered by a Papuan separatist group on July 2. Indonesian authorities confirmed that an armed criminal group (KKB) connected to the separatist movement was responsible for burning a missionary aircraft and fatally killing its American pilot in Yahukimo district, Papua Highlands.
Reportedly, the KKB set on fire an AMA plane shortly after it arrived at the Balinggama airstrip from Wamena. The pilot, identified as Nicholas F. Gosselin, an American national, was shot at close range and killed. The incident has triggered a major security response, with joint forces deploying multiple units to secure the area and recover the victim’s remains. His evacuation efforts were disturbed by severe weather conditions and security threats, forcing apparatus to delay retrieval operations.
On the consecutive day, three aircraft had been mobilised to evacuate Gosselin’s corpse, with operations coordinated by the Indonesian Military and National Police. The Satgas Gakkum of Cartenz Peace Operation (ODC) task force later confirmed that the perpetrators belonged to the Bakusip group, a faction of the KKB active in Yahukimo.
The incident drew sharp response from Djamari Chaniago, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. He said, “I strongly condemn the burning of the plane and the heinous act against the pilot of the AMA plane, which is strongly suspected to have been carried out by the KKB.”
Relevant authorities carried out an autopsy in Wamena, the forensic team revealed the pilot had been shot from a point blank, underscoring the adoption of harsh method. Authorities described the incident as part of a broader pattern of violence by armed separatist groups in Papua, which have increasingly targeted civilian aviation and infrastructure.
Security officials said that they are going to intensify operations in order to pursue the perpetrators and restore peace in the region. The attack has drawn condemnation from local leaders, who warned that violence against civilian aviation undermines humanitarian services in remote areas of Papua.
This incident underscores Papua as a deeply volatile region that witnesses the prevalence of violence from separatist groups. As grim as it may seem, the murder of Gosselin is likely to strengthen the existence of security forces in Papua, and reinforce their agenda of eradicating violence.
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