In Indonesia’s Papua region, separatist rebels have fatally shot an American pilot and set his aircraft ablaze to convey a message, according to their leaders.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the killing of Nicholas F Gosselin, a pilot with Indonesian aviation company PT AMA. The incident occurred after Gosselin landed in Highland Papua province on Thursday.

The rebels accused civilian pilots of transporting Indonesian troops into the area and asserted that Gosselin’s death was intended as a message. However, Gosselin’s friend, Kenneth Jagers, refuted these claims on social media, stating that Gosselin was on a humanitarian mission and not involved in such activities.

The Indonesian military refuted allegations that the plane was carrying troops, stating that the seven passengers on board were Indigenous Papuan civilians, including three women, who were unharmed.

Tensions in Papua have escalated in recent times due to a long-standing conflict between Indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces, resulting in numerous casualties among rebels, security personnel, and civilians. Foreign pilots have become a particular target for the rebels.

Indonesia’s civil aviation authority initially reported no security issues when Gosselin landed the plane; however, contact was later lost with the airstrip.

Military spokesperson Wirya Artadiguna in Papua confirmed the separatist group’s involvement in the attack and announced the recovery and evacuation of the American pilot’s body.

In a statement to the Associated Press, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom explained that the flight was seen as a violation of the group’s ban on civilian aircraft in territories they claim as operational.

The Indonesian Armed Forces, known as Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), disclosed that a 10-person unit from Habema Operations Command conducted the evacuation of Gosselin’s body on July 2. Habema Operations Command is a joint initiative involving the Indonesian military and police.

Security forces in Indonesia are actively pursuing those responsible for the attack on the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft. Measures include a special operation to secure the airfield and a tactical search-and-rescue mission, as per TNI information.

An online profile under the name Nick Goselin indicated his role as a pilot in command for Associated Mission Aviation, operating in Papua, Indonesia, after previously working as a pilot in Alaska.