Papua separatists claim to have shot dead US pilot

Papua separatists claimed they shot dead a U.S. pilot and set fire to an aircraft after the pilot allegedly delivered Indonesian troops into what the group described as a “conflict zone.” The West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB), spokesman Sebby Sambom, said fighters in Yahukimo regency killed pilot Nicholas F Goselin and burned an aircraft operated by PT AMA, an Indonesian airline, in Balinggama village. The Indonesian military and the U.S. embassy had no immediate comment. Indonesia’s transport ministry said the plane carried one pilot and seven passengers, and that communications were lost after the pilot reported landing. Papua police’s Cartenz Peace Task Force said officers were still verifying the condition of the pilot and passengers and expected to deploy a team Friday. The claim could not be independently verified. Sambom alleged the aircraft violated a TPNPB ultimatum banning civilian flights into areas the group considers operational, and called for international negotiations involving Indonesia, the TPNPB, and Papuan representatives. Conflicts between Indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are ongoing, and fighting escalated in the past year, with dozens killed across rebels, security forces, and civilians.