Separatist groups killed a New Zealand helicopter pilot Monday (August 5) after his plane landed in Alama District. However, four other passengers on board the helicopter survived.
The 50-year-old pilot was carrying four health workers and two children, all of whom were safe, said Head of the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operation Task Force Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani in a statement.
“It is confirmed that there was hostage-taking and murder carried out by an armed criminal group,” said Faizal.
The rebels shot the pilot dead, then loaded his body into a helicopter and set it on fire, he said.
The killing comes less than two years after another New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, was kidnapped by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). Mehrtens is still being held hostage.
When contacted AFP When asked for comment, the TPNPB did not admit responsibility for the killing, but said the pilot had entered their prohibited area.
A New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said it was aware of the reports and that its embassy in Jakarta was seeking information from authorities, but declined to comment further.
Small-scale rebellions are common in Papua. However, recently, the intensity and risk of rebellions have increased because the rebels have more modern weaponry.
Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz 2024 Peace Task Force, Grand Commissioner Bayu Suseno, said the group responsible for the incident was the group that is currently also holding Mehrtens.
The New Zealand government has repeatedly called for the immediate release of captured Mehrtens. The pilot was abducted on February 7 last year, after he landed a small commercial plane in the remote mountainous region of Nduga.
The rebels earlier released a video showing Mehrtens asking for international mediation in negotiations between them and the government, in which Mehrtens is seen surrounded by his group.
TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom said Saturday that his group had agreed to release Mehrtens. Bayu, however, cast doubt on the claim, calling it “pure propaganda.” Sebby did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (ah/es)
