JAKARTA — An Indonesian military commander in its restive Papua region on Thursday (Feb 16) said a 'law enforcement operation' was being prepared to free a New Zealand pilot held hostage by separatists, but only as a last resort if negotiations failed. Indonesia was currently taking soft approaches to try to break the deadlock, said regional commander Muhammad Saleh Mustafa,...
A man, identified as Philip Mehrtens, the New Zealand pilot who is said to be held hostage by a pro-independence group, stands among the separatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region, in this undated picture released on Feb 14, 2023.JAKARTA — An Indonesian military commander in its restive Papua region on Thursday said a "law enforcement operation" was being prepared to free a New Zealand pilot held hostage by separatists, but only as a last resort if negotiations failed.
Mehrtens, a Susi Air pilot, was abducted by the West Papua National Liberation Army last week after landing in the remote region of Nduga. A spokesperson for the TPNPB shared photographs and videos of Mehrtens on Wednesday surrounded by about a dozen fighters, some armed with guns and bows. Mehrtens is heard saying his captors asked for the Indonesian military's withdrawal from Papua, otherwise he would be held for life.
Muhammad did not provide details of what the operation might entail, citing confidentiality, but said police, military and intelligence officials were involved in the planning.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cyclone Gabrielle moves away from New Zealand, leaves two dead and huge clean-upWELLINGTON - Cyclone Gabrielle weakened and moved away from New Zealand on Wednesday (Feb 15) as the country started to assess the damage caused by significant flooding, landslides and high winds that left two people dead. Gabrielle, which reached New Zealand on Sunday before making its way down the east coast of the North Island, cut off a number of...
Read more »
6.1-magnitude quake strikes off New Zealand coastA witness felt a strong shaking that lasted several seconds in the capital of Wellington. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Magnitude 5.7 quake hits New Zealand, no damage reportedWELLINGTON: A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near the New Zealand capital Wellington on Wednesday (Feb 15), the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage. The quake struck under the Cook Strait that separates the North and South Islands at a depth of 74km, USGS reporte
Read more »
Air New Zealand resumes services to all airports after cyclone-led cancellationsAir New Zealand resumed services to all airports on Wednesday (Feb 15), including those in the heavily impacted regions of New Plymouth, Napier, and Gisborne, after Cyclone Gabrielle led to 821 flight cancellations and affected 49,000 customers. The airline experienced minor disruptions in the morning during the resumption of services as it worked through operationalising the routes, it said. The...
Read more »
Magnitude 6.1 quake strikes off New Zealand coastWELLINGTON — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck New Zealand near Wellington on Wednesday (Feb 15) at a depth of 48km (30 miles), government seismic monitor Geonet said. The earthquake's epicentre was 50km from the town of Paraparaumu, according to Geonet. A Reuters witness felt a strong shaking that lasted several seconds in the capital of Wellington. New Zealand lies on...
Read more »
Cyclone forces postponement of New Zealand domestic ODI finalThe final of the Ford Trophy, New Zealand's main domestic one-day competition, has been postponed from Sunday because of the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on players from the Central Districts team, New Zealand Cricket said on Thursday.The devastating cyclone hit New Zealand last weekend before making its w
Read more »