National Police Chief Confirms Susi Air's Pilot and Passengers Held Hostage by KKB

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit (DOC Youtube Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo confirmed that the pilot and five passengers of the Susi Air plane were taken hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB). Currently, the process of finding their whereabouts is being carried out.

"Regarding the progress of the pilot and passengers who were secured by the KKB, they are currently being searched," General Sigit was quoted as saying on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, Tuesday, February 7.

In the process of searching, Cartenz Peace Ops is mapping and tracing the Paro District to find their whereabouts.

Later, if there are any developments regarding the search results, Sigit ensures that they will be clearly communicated soon.

"Currently we are conducting a search operation. We will inform the results," said Sigit.

Meanwhile, the pilot of the plane was named Captain Philips M. Meanwhile, the five passengers namely, Demanus Gwijangge, Minda Gwijangge, Pelenus Gwijangge, Meita Gwijangge, and​​​​​​​ Wetina W.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya is strongly suspected of being the perpetrator of the burning of the Susi Air plane of the Pilatus Porter type at the Paro airport, Nduga, Central Papua on Tuesday 7 February morning.

The Pilatus Porter type aircraft flew from Timika at 05.33 WIT on Tuesday 7 February. The plane is scheduled to arrive at Moses Kilangin Airport in Timika at 07.40 WIT.

However, at 6.17 WIT, the plane carrying pilot Captain Philips M from New Zealand and five passengers lost contact at 6.17 WIT.