KKB Shoot Dead New Zealand Helicopter Pilot

JAKARTA - The Armed Criminal Group (KKB) shot dead a helicopter pilot from New Zealand after he landed his plane in a remote area. Four helicopter passengers survived.

The shooting took place in the Alama district in Central Papua province, said Kombes Bayu Suseno, Head of the Cartenz Damai Ops Task Force, citing a witness reported by Reuters, Monday, August 5.

This comes nearly 18 months after the kidnapping of another pilot from New Zealand, Phillip Mehrtens, who is still being held hostage by a separatist group.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand said it was aware of the report. The embassy in Jakarta is seeking information from the authorities, but declined to comment further.

Meanwhile, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said it had not received any reports of incidents mentioned by the police and could not immediately confirm the killing of the New Zealand pilot.