https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-05/indonesian-rebels-kill-new-zealand-helicopter-pilot-police/104186704
Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region kill New Zealand helicopter pilot
Separatist rebels in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua have killed a New Zealand helicopter pilot, according to regional police.
The 50-year-old pilot, who was working for a private company, was killed when rebels rounded up those on board the helicopter when it landed in an isolated area, police said in a statement
Police said the four Indonesian health workers and two children who were also on the aircraft were safe.
Papua rebels captured another New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, in February last year.
Mr Mehrtens remains in captivity, but on Sunday a spokesman for the pro-independence movement which captured the pilot said it planned to release him.
Police said the group responsible for Monday's incident in the Alama district of the Central Papua province was the same group that is holding Mr Mehrtens.
The rebel West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said it had not received a report of the incident cited by police and could not immediately confirm the killing of the pilot on Monday.
A low-level battle for independence from Indonesia has raged in the resource-rich western half of Papua, where attacks by independence fighters have grown deadlier and more frequent as they have procured better weaponry.
New Zealand's foreign ministry and its embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reuters/AFP
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