The rebels in Papua New Guinea have attacked a helicopter, killing its New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, shortly after it landed in a remote mountain region. The gunmen, believed to be associated with the West Papua Liberation Army, stormed the aircraft carrying health workers and two children in Alama village in Mimika district of Central Papua province. The pilot was killed, and the Indigenous Papuan passengers were released before the plane was set on fire with the pilot’s body inside.
The TPNPB, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, claimed they had not received a report of the incident and could not comment on the pilot’s killing. However, the joint security peace force in Papua confirmed the attack. The passengers, all local Alama residents, are safe.
This incident follows the kidnapping of another New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, last year after he landed a small plane in Nduga. The same group responsible for the recent attack is holding Mehrtens. The Free Papua Movement commander stated that Mehrtens will only be released if Indonesia grants Papua sovereignty.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is aware of Conning’s death and is negotiating for Mehrtens’ release. MFAT continues to prioritize Mehrtens’ safety and well-being, working closely with Indonesian authorities for a peaceful resolution. They are also supporting Mehrtens’ family in both New Zealand and Indonesia. Please rewrite this sentence.
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