New Zealand pilot kidnapped in West Papua regains freedom: Held captive for 19 months
Separatists in West Papua have released the New Zealand pilot they kidnapped after 19 months.
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New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, who was kidnapped 19 months ago in Indonesia's West Papua region, has been released. Mehrtens had been held by the separatist 'West Papua National Liberation Army'.
2024 Cartenz Task Force Chief Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani stated that the release of the pilot, who was held in the Nduga Regency of Highland Papua, was the result of their cautious approach.
Ramadhani noted that acting cautiously was important in terms of minimizing loss of life and ensuring the pilot's safety.
According to the Antara Agency, the pilot, who was kidnapped in February 2023, was taken into custody by the 2024 Cartenz Task Force, which coordinates army and police forces.
It was reported that the pilot, who was received in the Nduga Regency, was sent by plane to Timika in Central Papua. Mehrtens was later taken to a hospital for a medical check-up.
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens (left) and Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani (right)
SEPARATISTS HAD KIDNAPPED THE NEW ZEALAND PILOT
New Zealand pilot Mehrtens, who worked for the Indonesian company 'Susi Air', was kidnapped on February 7, 2023, by the separatist 'West Papua National Liberation Army' in the West Papua province.
The Indonesian military had conducted military operations to rescue the pilot but had been unsuccessful.
Separatist armed groups have been carrying out pro-independence activities in the Papua region, which remained under Dutch control until it joined Indonesian territory in 1963.