Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) ordered the KKB perpetrators of the murder of the US pilot to be dealt with.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago/ANTARA FOTO/Muhammad Adimaja/sgd

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago has condemned the sadistic actions of a group of armed criminals (KKB) who have killed the pilot from the United States Nicholas F. Goseli in Papua Mountains.

"I strongly condemn the burning of the plane and the heinous act against the AMA plane pilot, which is suspected to have been carried out by the KKB," said Djamari as reported by ANTARA, Friday, July 3.

According to Djamari, the perpetrators must be dealt with firmly because they have taken someone's life and threatened the security of the Papuan people.

He ensured that he would encourage the TNI and Polri to continue to pursue the perpetrators and take firm action.

Not only that, Djamari also asked the TNI and Polri to strengthen airport security to ensure the safety of aviation activities in Papua.

Koops TNI Habema is currently pursuing the separatist group that killed Nicholas F. Goselin in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains.

It was explained that the pursuit operation was carried out after Koops Habema managed to evaluate the body of the US pilot at the shooting location.

"Today's evacuation operation involves 10 Koops TNI Habema personnel with the support of two Caracal helicopters. The entire process is carried out by prioritizing security factors and accuracy considering that the operational area is in a mountainous area with a high level of difficulty," said the Head of Public Information Koops TNI Habema Lieutenant Colonel Inf Wirya Arthadiguna.

After being evacuated, Wirya said the pilot's body was taken to Timika, Central Papua, to be handed over to the authorities in accordance with the applicable process.

Regarding the pursuit efforts, Wirya said his party had identified the group responsible for Nicholas' death.

"The murder of the pilot and the burning of the PT AMA plane was carried out by the OPM XVI/Yahukimo group led by Elkius Kobak," he said.

Currently, Koops TNI Habema is collecting various clues to find out the location of the separatist group. At the same time, Habema personnel were also deployed to tighten surveillance at the shooting location.

This was done so that there would be no follow-up attacks that could potentially threaten the security of the surrounding residents.

"Patrol is also carried out and the pursuit of the perpetrators. We will continue to synergize with all related elements so that the security of the community and the pioneering aviation service in Papua is maintained," explained Wirya.

The murder took place on Thursday (2/7) at 06.50 WIT. The attack occurred when the plane took off from Wamena Airport and landed at Ipdeheik Airport, Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, at 06.46 WIT.

The plane was attacked and burned and the pilot was declared dead on the spot.