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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Indonesian Military Operates at Site of Pilot Shooting in Yahukimo

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Indonesian military (TNI) launched an operation to secure Ipdeheik Airfield in Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan, a site where a pilot was shot and a plane burned.
  • The operation aims to secure the airfield as an entry point for aid and support tactical search and rescue and victim evacuation.
  • The TPNPB-OPM claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was an ultimatum against Indonesian airlines flying in Papua.

Indonesian soldiers from the Habema Operation Command (Koops Habema) have launched a special operation to secure Ipdeheik Airfield in Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan. The airfield is the site where a pilot was shot and a plane belonging to PT AMA was burned. The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) suspects the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) carried out the attack on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

The operation is carried out to control and secure the airfield as an entry point for aid, as well as to carry out tactical SAR and victim evacuation.

— Wirya ArthadigunaHead of Information for Koops Habema, explaining the purpose of the operation.

Koops Habema deployed 10 soldiers supported by two Caracal helicopters for the operation. The helicopters were necessary due to the challenging mountainous terrain. The body of the pilot, identified as American national Nicholas F. Goselin, has been evacuated to Timika. Deputy Commander of Koops Habema, Brigadier General Riyanto, expressed condolences and stated that authorities are pursuing the perpetrators.

"Our next priority is to secure the location, protect the community, and support law enforcement processes against the perpetrators," Riyanto said. The TPNPB-OPM has claimed responsibility for the attack. Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the TPNPB Main Headquarters, stated that the attack was carried out by the TPNPB's Yahukimo regional defense command under Elkius Kobak.

Our next priority is to secure the location, protect the community, and support law enforcement processes against the perpetrators.

— Brigadir Jenderal RiyantoDeputy Commander of Koops Habema, commenting on the aftermath of the attack.

"We shot them as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly in Papua," Sambom said in a written statement on Friday, July 3, 2026. The burned aircraft, registered as PK-RCY, was flying from Wamena Airport to Balinggama Airfield. It was carrying seven passengers, all indigenous Papuans, who reportedly survived the incident.

We shot them as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly in Papua.

— Sebby SambomSpokesperson for the TPNPB Main Headquarters, claiming responsibility for the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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