US pilot's body evacuated after Papua separatist attack

hartono · Jul 3, 2026

US pilot's body evacuated after Papua separatist attack

Personnel from Indonesia's Habema Joint Operations Command on Friday evacuated the body of American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, who was fatally shot by an armed separatist group after landing in Balinggama, Yahukimo District, in Indonesia's Highland Papua Province. /ANTARA/HO/Dok Koops Habema.

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Personnel from Indonesia's Habema Joint Operations Command on Friday evacuated the body of American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, who was fatally shot by an armed separatist group after landing in Balinggama, Yahukimo District, in Indonesia's Highland Papua Province, military officials said.

Lieutenant Colonel M. Wirya Arthadiguna, spokesperson for the Habema Joint Operations Command, told ANTARA that the evacuation was underway and Goselin's body would be flown directly to Timika, Central Papua.

The military deployed three helicopters for the evacuation of the American pilot, Wirya said.

Wirya said the operation proceeded swiftly and the body was already en route to Timika.The attackers also set fire to the Pilatus aircraft, which had flown from Wamena to Balinggama carrying seven passengers.

The seven passengers were identified as Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Vaince Amo Hoso.