Papua separatists claim to have shot dead a U.S. pilot who transported Indonesian troops

A Papua separatist group said it had shot dead an American pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, claiming he had brought Indonesian troops into a ‘conflict zone.’

A Papua separatist group said Thursday it has shot dead an American pilot who brought Indonesian troops into a ‘conflict zone.’

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In a statement, Sebby Sambom, spokesman for the West Papua Liberation Army, or TPNPB, claimed the group’s fighters in Yahukimo regency shot dead American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin and set fire to an aircraft operated by PT AMA, an Indonesian airline, in Balinggama village.

There was no immediate comment from the Indonesian military or the U.S. Embassy.