Indonesian military forces recovered the body of US pilot Nicholas F Goselin after he was shot and killed by Papuan separatists in the Papua Highlands, ABC News reported.
The West Papua National Liberation Army said it killed Goselin because his aircraft and pilot had violated an ultimatum that banned flights into areas the group considered operational zones. Indonesian authorities said a rapid operation was carried out to retrieve the body, with the military involving a small team in the recovery.
The ABC footage shows Indonesian special forces flying in by helicopter, then landing and recovering Goselin’s body. The military said it would take the body to the US embassy in Jakarta. The US Department of State said it is investigating and in contact with Indonesian authorities.
The report also said Goselin’s small aircraft was burned in the Yahukimo regency in a remote mountainous area of Papua, and that contact was lost with the airstrip shortly after the pilot reported landing. Indonesian civil aviation authorities said the aircraft was carrying Goselin and seven passengers.
In response to the killing, an Indonesian coordinating political and security official said the government condemned the attack and reaffirmed it would not tolerate violence against civilians or attacks on air transportation infrastructure. Amnesty International Indonesia described the killing as a tragic violation of human rights, calling for clear messages that unlawful attacks on everyday people are unacceptable.
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