Papua Separatists Burn Plane, Take N. Zealand Pilot Hostage

Jakarta. Members of the separatist movement Free Papua Organization, or OPM, burned a small passenger plane carrying five passengers and took the pilot of New Zealand nationality hostage in Nduga regency on Tuesday.
The Pilatus Porter plane operated by Susi Air departed from Mimika in the Indonesian easternmost province of Papua at 05:33 a.m. local time (20:33 GMT on Monday) heading for Nduga, Papua Police Chief Insp. General Mathius Fakhiri told reporters.
According to reports, the plane arrived at Paro Airport at 06:26 a.m. local time.
“We received a report that a Susi Air plane was burned by the KKB on Paro Airport’s runway in Nduga regency,” Mathius said, using the Indonesian acronym for the armed criminal group the government uses to identify the separatists.
The officer added that a joint team of the police and the military has been deployed to search and rescue the pilot and passengers.
A statement purportedly from the separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack and the capture of the pilot.
“The plane was burned for a sensible reason. We hold the pilot hostage and are taking him out,” according to the statement signed by purported OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom and sent to the media.
“The TNI [Indonesian Military] and the Indonesian Police must not open fire at civilians or interrogate them because the plane was burned by us, the 3rd Command of the TPNPB (West Papua Liberation Army) of the OPM in Ndugama, Derakma under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Egianus Kogoya,” it said.
Sebby added that the group will not release the pilot until their demand for independence is recognized by Indonesia.
The Papua Police identify the pilot of flight SI-9368 as Philips Marthen, 37, but no more details are available.
The five passengers, including a baby, are believed to be from the same family members. The adult passengers are identified as Demanus Gwijangge, Minda Gwijangge, Pelenus Gwijangge, and Meita Gwijangge.
Their fate is still unknown when the story was published.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Papua Militia Group Kills 11 Gold Miners: Reports
The group has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack but did not confirm the number of casualties.Military Blames OPM-Affiliated Group for Attack on Teachers in Papua
The group that allegedly carried out the attack in Anggruk district was led by local separatist leader Elius Kogap, a spokesman said.Papua Militias Kill Female Teacher, Injure Six: Authorities
The area where the attack took place has no police or military outpost, leaving it vulnerable to such incidents.The Latest
The Elderly, The Poor, and The Convert: The Chosen Few Answer the Call of Hajj
Poor, old, or newly converted—many Indonesians spend decades chasing the dream of Hajj. For some, 2025 is finally their moment'Not in Our Name': Kadin Probes Alleged Intimidation in $1B Petrochemical Project
Kadin launches probe after viral video shows alleged extortion by local businessmen at Chandra Asri's $1 billion Cilegon project.Review: ‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ Proves Why the Franchise Never Dies
Unlike its characters, "Final Destination" manages to cheat death even after all these years.Police Arrest 27 for Looting Palm Fruit from Central Kalimantan Plantation
In addition to looting, the suspects have burned a company security post and taken the firm’s security guards hostage, police said.Indonesia’s Top Islamic Body Rejects Proposal to Legalize Casinos
An MUI leader said the casino issue is not merely legal but deeply rooted in moral and spiritual values.Most Popular
