An attempt by the Indonesian military to free a New Zealand pilot kidnapped in the restive province of Papua went tragically wrong. The 36-strong unit that went to rescue the kidnapped Philip Mehrtens was ambushed by separatist rebels, killing several soldiers. The army recovered four bodies on Thursday, a spokesman said, and one soldier is still missing.
The rebels had previously said they had killed no fewer than 15 soldiers – “false news”, as the chief of the armed forces stressed.
Fear of pilot Susi Air
Rebels of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) set fire to a small plane in the remote district of Nduga on February 7 and kidnapped the pilot of local airline Susi Air. Since then, the kidnappers have released videos and photos of their hostage.
“Safe and in good health”
The kidnapped New Zealander Mehrtens was surrounded by some heavily armed indigenous peoples. Rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom said Thursday the hostage was “safe and in good health”.
Fierce struggle for independence
On Sunday, the TPNPB said it would continue armed attacks if Indonesia refused to hold peace talks involving the UN. The group wants West Papua to become independent from Indonesia.
uprisings for more than half a century
The region in the western half of the huge island of New Guinea has been the scene of separatist uprisings since the 1960s. The province was incorporated into the island nation in 1969 in a United Nations-sponsored vote. For years there have been violent conflicts in the resource-rich region. The east of the island north of Australia is the independent state of Papua New Guinea.
Source: Krone
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