New Zealand Pilot Held Hostage by Separatist Fighters in Indonesia

A New Zealand pilot has been taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia's breakaway Papua region.

Mehrtens, 37, was taken after his plane carrying five passengers was attacked after it landed in the remote mountainous province of Nduga.

His abductors, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), have told BBC Indonesian he is "safe". However, they say they won't release him until the independence of West Papua is recognized.

Sebby Sambom, a TPNPB spokesperson, told BBC Indonesian that the five passengers who were also onboard, including a child, had been released because they were native Papuans.

Indonesian authorities say they are deploying a search and rescue team, but police noted it was logistically difficult, as the remote area can only be reached by air.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins explained that the country's embassy in Jakarta was "working on the case". He had previously mentioned that it was "well aware" of the situation.

On Tuesday, the small passenger plane, which belongs to Indonesia's Susi Air, departed from the Mozes Kilangin airport in Central Papua early and was meant to return a few hours later after dropping off the passengers in Nduga.

Papuan rebels seeking independence from Indonesia have previously issued threats and even attacked aircraft they believe to be carrying personnel and supplies for Jakarta.

The resource-rich region has been caught in a battle for independence since it was brought under Indonesia's control in an UN-supervised vote in 1969.

Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and the Indonesian authorities have been common since, with pro-independence fighters mounting more frequent attacks since 2018.