Armed separatist rebels in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua region claimed responsibility for an attack on a civilian aircraft, alleging they killed an American pilot and set the plane on fire after it landed in a conflict-hit area.
The claim was made by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), a separatist group involved in a long-running insurgency against the Indonesian government.
Indonesian authorities confirmed that the aircraft was found burnt in Yahukimo regency in Highland Papua, but said they could not immediately verify the rebels’ account or confirm the reported death of the pilot.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the TPNPB, said the group’s fighters shot dead American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin after his aircraft landed in the Balinggama district.