Indonesia: Separatists murder New Zealand pilot in Papua. The 50-year-old pilot was killed after landing in Alama, a village in Indonesia’s restive Papua region. The separatist Free Papua Movement, which is in conflict with the Indonesian government, is active there.
The 50-year-old pilot was killed after landing in Alama, a village in Indonesia’s restive Papua region. The separatist Free Papua Movement, which is in conflict with the Indonesian government, is active there.
Conning is the victim of a long-standing conflict between the Indonesian government and the West Papuan independence movement
Separatists in Indonesia’s restive Papua region ambushed a helicopter on Monday and murdered its New Zealand pilot.
The pilot, 50-year-old Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed after he landed in Alama, a remote village in Central Papua province, according to Indonesian authorities. Conning worked for Indonesian air cargo firm PT Intan Angkasa Air Service.
“The helicopter carrying four passengers was ambushed upon arrival by the armed criminal group, resulting in the death of the pilot, Mr Glen Malcolm Conning,” Faizal Ramadhani, a member of the Indonesian National Police said. Faizal is in charge of the joint security peace force in Papua.
Faizal said the rebels let four Indigenous passengers who were on the helicopter go.
Conning is believed to have been killed by the West Papua National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement. Another New Zealand pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens, was taken captive by the Free Papua Movement in February 2023 and is still being held in the province of Highland Papua.
