Indonesia’s military has recovered the body of an American pilot who was killed by separatist rebels in the country’s eastern Papua region. The attack has drawn renewed attention to the long-running conflict between Indonesian security forces and armed groups seeking independence for the resource-rich territory.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said its fighters shot and killed American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin after his aircraft landed in the Yahukimo area of Highland Papua. The group also said it set the plane on fire after the attack. According to TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom, the aircraft had repeatedly transported Indonesian military personnel into areas controlled by the rebels. He claimed the flights ignored warnings issued by the group to stay out of what it considers red zones.

Sambom said the attack was intended as a message to both the Indonesian and the United States governments. He accused them of failing to address the underlying conflict in Papua and warned that similar attacks could continue if civilian aircraft keep entering areas under rebel control.

On Friday, Indonesian military spokesperson Wirya Artadiguna confirmed that separatist fighters carried out the attack. He said soldiers recovered the pilot’s body and safely evacuated it from the area. Authorities have launched a search for those responsible.

Officials also confirmed that all seven passengers on board survived the attack. The passengers, who were all Papuans, returned home safely after the incident.

The aircraft belonged to PT AMA, an airline that provides essential transport services to remote communities across Papua. Its planes deliver food, fuel, mail, and other supplies to villages that are difficult to reach by road. The company has not publicly commented on the incident.

Papua has experienced a low-level separatist conflict for decades. Armed groups have stepped up attacks in recent years as they gained access to better weapons. Security forces have also increased operations in the region, leading to ongoing violence and instability.

The latest attack comes more than a year after New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was freed by Papuan rebels. He was kidnapped in February 2023 after landing a small commercial aircraft in the remote Nduga region and was held captive until his release in September 2024.

The killing of the American pilot is expected to raise fresh concerns about aviation safety in Papua and the continuing security risks faced by civilians and transport operators working in the region.