West Papua group claims US pilot killing was warning to UN, US, Netherlands

The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting of US pilot Nicholas F. Goselin and the burning of his aircraft in Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan, on July 2, 2026. The group stated the attack was a deliberate warning aimed at the United Nations, the United States, and the Netherlands.

Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for TPNPB-OPM, accused these international bodies of violating international law and failing to involve Papuans in negotiations to resolve the political issues in their land. He cited several UN and international agreements that he claims have been breached. Sambom asserted that the TPNPB-OPM will not cease its attacks unless the UN takes the conflict in Papua seriously and addresses its root causes.

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The shooting of pilot Nicholas F. Goselin as a warning to the UN, the United States, and the Netherlands to immediately resolve the conflict in the land of Papua.

The TPNPB-OPM also alleged a unilateral agreement between the Indonesian government and the US concerning gold mining operations by PT. Freeport McMoRan, which they claim excluded the Papuan people. The group advised Indonesian citizens and foreigners to exercise caution and cease all civilian flights transporting Indonesian military troops and logistics into Papua.

Sambom further stated that the shooting of pilot Nicholas F. Goselin was an ultimatum to prevent further flights by Indonesian airlines in Papua. He warned that additional civilian casualties could occur if these warnings are ignored. The TPNPB-OPM unit responsible for the attack was identified as TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak.

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We shot as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly in the land of Papua.