New Zealand Pilot Killed and Hostages Taken by Rebel Group in Papua, Indonesia
A tragic incident occurred in Indonesia’s Papua region on August 5, when a New Zealand pilot named Glen Malcolm Conning was killed by the rebel Free Papua Organization (OPM). Conning, who was 50 years old, was piloting a helicopter for PT Intan Angkasa Air Service.
According to Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, who heads the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force 2024, the helicopter landed in Alama, a remote village in Mimika district of Central Papua province. Shortly after landing, the OPM took hostages and burned the helicopter. The hostages included two health workers, a baby, and a child, who were later released.
The Indonesian armed forces and national police have launched a search for the rebels responsible for this attack. This incident is not isolated; in February 2023, another New Zealand pilot, Captain Philip Mark Merthens, was taken hostage by the OPM, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
In 2020, seven employees of PT Freeport Indonesia, including a New Zealand miner named Graeme Thomas Wall, were attacked by gunmen in Tembagapura mining town. Wall was shot and killed. Papua has been a region of conflict since it was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, following a controversial UN-sponsored ballot.
Doubts Revealed
New Zealand -: New Zealand is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and friendly people.
Pilot -: A pilot is a person who is trained to fly an aircraft, like an airplane or a helicopter.
Free Papua Organization (OPM) -: The Free Papua Organization, or OPM, is a group that wants independence for the Papua region from Indonesia. They sometimes use force to achieve their goals.
Papua -: Papua is a region in Indonesia, which is a country in Southeast Asia. It is known for its jungles and mountains.
Hostages -: Hostages are people who are captured and held by someone, usually to get something in return.
Health workers -: Health workers are people who help take care of sick or injured people. They can be doctors, nurses, or other medical staff.
Mimika district -: Mimika district is an area in Papua, Indonesia. It is known for its remote villages and natural beauty.
Indonesian armed forces -: The Indonesian armed forces are the military of Indonesia. They protect the country and help in emergencies.
Police -: Police are people who help keep law and order in a place. They make sure everyone follows the rules and stay safe.
Rebels -: Rebels are people who fight against the government or authority, often because they want change.
