FOUND: 3 | Mind Blowing Facts

Indonesia military ready for operation to free NZ pilot, if talks fail

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.

Reuters · Feb 16, 2023

Indonesia military court jails four soldiers over Papua killings

Four Papuan men were killed and their bodies mutilated after a deal to buy arms from the Indonesian troops fell apart.

Al Jazeera · Feb 16, 2023

Indonesian court jails soldiers over brutal Papua killings

An Indonesian military court in the restive Papua region this week handed down jail sentences to four soldiers over their roles in the brutal murder of four civilians, a court document showed.

Reuters · Feb 16, 2023

Separatist rebels in Papua say kidnapped NZ pilot is safe

Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua province have released photos and videos of a man they say is the pilot from New Zealand whom they took hostage last week

The Independent UK · Feb 15, 2023

West Papua rebels release photos of captured New Zealand pilot

Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage last week after landing his small commercial plane in the Papuan highlands.

Al Jazeera · Feb 15, 2023

Papua independence fighters release images of New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens

Independence fighters in Indonesia's Papua region release videos and photos of a New Zealand pilot they are holding hostage, declaring the images and video are proof of life.

ABC News · Feb 14, 2023

Rebels who abducted New Zealand pilot move him deeper into Papua New Guinea jungle

Philip Mehrtens was captured early Tuesday by separatist fighters

Evening Standard · Feb 10, 2023

The NZ pilot held hostage in West Papua is the pawn in a conflict only real international engagement can resolve

“Phil Mehrtens is the nicest guy, he genuinely is – no one ever had anything bad to say about him”, says a colleague of the New Zealand pilot taken hostage this week by members of the West Papuan Liberation Army (TPN-PB) in the mountainous Nduga Regency.

The Conversation · Feb 10, 2023

Earthquake hits Indonesia, killing 4 as restaurant collapses

A shallow earthquake has shaken Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua, killing four people who were unable to escape when a floating restaurant collapsed into the sea

The Independent UK · Feb 9, 2023

Four killed by magnitude 5.4 earthquake in Indonesia’s Papua

Buildings were damaged and at least four people killed when a cafe collapsed into the sea, authorities say.

Al Jazeera · Feb 9, 2023