The Latest Breaking News from TPNPB

Rebels in Indonesia's Papua say images show abducted NZ pilot in good health

Separatists in Indonesia's restive Papua region have released images that they say show a New Zealand pilot taken hostage last week is in good health, but pledged he would not be freed until authorities acknowledge the independence of the area.

Reuters · Feb 15, 2023

Papua independence fighters release images of New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens

Independence fighters in Indonesia's Papua region release videos and photos of a New Zealand pilot they are holding hostage, declaring the images and video are proof of life.

ABC News · Feb 14, 2023

The NZ pilot held hostage in West Papua is the pawn in a conflict only real international engagement can resolve

“Phil Mehrtens is the nicest guy, he genuinely is – no one ever had anything bad to say about him”, says a colleague of the New Zealand pilot taken hostage this week by members of the West Papuan Liberation Army (TPN-PB) in the mountainous Nduga Regency.

The Conversation · Feb 10, 2023

Indonesia to investigate army officers over Papua killings

Authorities in Indonesia's Papua region have detained six army officers and launched an investigation into their alleged involvement in the brutal killing of four civilians last week, military officials said on Monday.

Reuters · Aug 29, 2022

Mystery surrounds how munitions imported for Indonesia's civilian spies were used in attacks on villages

Almost 2,500 mortar shells from Serbia bought for Indonesia's spy agency last year were converted to be air-dropped, and some were used in attacks on eight villages in Papua, according to a report from an arms monitoring group and photos provided to Reuters.

Reuters · Jun 3, 2022