In a tragic incident, separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region have killed a 50-year-old New Zealand helicopter pilot, according to regional police. The pilot, employed by a private company, was fatally shot when rebels intercepted the helicopter after it landed in a remote area. The rebels then set the aircraft ablaze with the pilot’s body inside.
Fortunately, the four Indonesian health workers and two children on board were unharmed. This incident bears a striking resemblance to the capture of another New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, in February last year. Mehrtens remains in captivity, but his captors, the pro-independence movement, have announced plans to release him.
The group responsible for the latest incident, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), has not claimed responsibility but warned that the pilot had entered a prohibited conflict zone. “We forbid all activities, including civilian ones, in this area,” said TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom.
Papua has been embroiled in a low-level independence struggle, with increasing frequency and deadliness of attacks by separatist fighters. New Zealand’s foreign ministry has acknowledged the report and is seeking further information from Indonesian authorities.
