New Zealand Pilot Killed By Separatist Gunmen In Central Papua Province

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Glen Malcolm Conning, a 50-year-old New Zealand pilot with PT Intan Angkasa Air Service, was taken hostage and killed by gunmen in Mimika, Central Papua province, on Monday (Aug 5), authorities said.

Head of the Damai Cartenz 2024 Operation, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, confirmed that the incident occurred at 10 am local time as Conning’s helicopter landed in the remote Alama district.

“The helicopter was transporting six passengers from Mozes Kilangin Timika Airport to Alama, including four health workers, a baby, and a child,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 6).

Upon arrival at the landing site, the pilot and passengers were intercepted by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB), believed to be affiliated with the Free Papua Organisation.

The group forced the occupants out of the helicopter and gathered them in a nearby field.

“The pilot was executed on the spot. After the killing, the pilot’s body was placed back in the helicopter and burned,” a spokesperson for the operation, Commissioner Bayu Suseno explained.

Initial reports indicated the passengers, who are residents, were not harmed and have since returned to their homes in the district.

“We’re working with the Armed Forces and Timika police to pursue the KKB members responsible for the attack,” he added.

The Damai Cartenz Operation is a joint effort by the Armed Forces and police to combat armed separatist insurgents in the troubled Papua region, ongoing since Jan 5, 2018.

-- BERNAMA