TNI hands over the body of the US pilot who was killed by the KKB to his family

Koops Habema TNI personnel evacuated the body of the pilot of the PT AMA Nicholas F Goselin (29) aircraft who was shot by KKB/ANTARA/HO-Koops Habema TNI members.

JAKARTA - The TNI handed over the body of the pilot of the PT AMA Air PK-RCY aircraft, a US citizen, namely Nicholas F. Goseli to the family and the airline.

The handover process was carried out after the TNI managed to evacuate the bodies from the shooting location in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains.

"Alhamdulillah, the body has been successfully evacuated by the TNI troops under the control of Kogabwilhan III on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 08.00 WIT, and currently the body is being autopsied at the Timika TNI Hospital. Next, we will hand over the body to the family and AMA," said the Commander of the Joint Command for the Defense Region (Pangkogabwilhan) IIILetjen TNI Lucky Avianto as reported by ANTARRA, Friday, July 3.

Currently, Lucky emphasized that the TNI is conducting a pursuit of the separatist group that killed Nicholas F. Goseli.

Several efforts have also been made in the pursuit of the perpetrators, ranging from looking for clues in the field to identifying the perpetrators.

"This incident was carried out by a group led by Elkius Kobak, and proudly acknowledged by the spokesperson for TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, is a real manifestation of the paradox of regional and community development in the eastern horizon of Indonesia," said Lucky.

Therefore, Lucky ensured that his party would make maximum efforts to prosecute the perpetrators in order to create security in Papua.

"Based on applicable laws and regulations, we can take firm steps based on the Rules of Engagement (ROE), to ensure that the firm and measured actions we take uphold the law and human rights," he said.

The incident occurred on Thursday (2/7) at 06.50 WIT. The attack occurred when the plane took off from Wamena Airport and landed at Ipdeheik Airport, Kampung Balinggama, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency at 06.46 WIT. At that time, the plane was attacked by the OPM (Free Papua Organization) group.

The plane was also attacked and burned and the pilot was declared dead from a gunshot at the location.