Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAnanda Teresia & Stanley WidiantoFriday 03 July 2026 07:42 BSTThe West Papua National Liberation Army claimed responsibility [file image] (AFP/Getty)An American pilot, Nicholas F Gosselin, was shot dead and his plane set on fire by rebels in the Yahukimo region of Highland Papua, Indonesia, with his body recovered by the military on Friday.The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), an armed separatist group, claimed responsibility, stating the attack was a 'message' to the US and Indonesian governments for not addressing the conflict's root causes.The TPNPB spokesperson alleged that Gosselin's aircraft had been 'frequently dropping Indonesian military personnel' and warned of further attacks if civilian planes continued to enter rebel-controlled areas.Wirya Artadiguna, a military spokesperson in Papua, confirmed the separatist group's involvement and stated that the military is now searching for the perpetrators and the seven Papuan passengers who were reportedly on board.This incident occurs amidst a long-standing low-level battle for independence in resource-rich Papua, with attacks by independence fighters becoming more frequent and deadly, following a previous high-profile kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot in 2023.In fullAmerican pilot shot dead and his plane set on fire by Papua rebelsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in