US pilot ‘killed’, plane torched in Papua; rebels call attack a ‘message’ to America & Indonesia

Separatist rebels in Papua claim to have killed an American pilot and burned a civilian plane, alleging it ferried Indonesian military personnel. The West Papua National Liberation Army stated the attack was a message to the US and Indonesian governments. Authorities confirmed the aircraft was found burnt but could not immediately verify the rebels’ claims or the pilot’s death. This incident escalates the ongoing low-level insurgency in the region.