Photo: Susi AirSeparatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region have taken a New Zealand pilot hostage after setting a small commercial plane alight when it landed in a remote highland area on Tuesday, a pro-independence group says in a statement. The TPNPB made no mention of the passengers, but said this was the second time the group had taken a hostage. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told Morning Report he had not had a full briefing yet, but the New Zealand Embassy was working on the case. The New Zealand embassy in Jakarta and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Susi Air founder and former fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti said on Twitter she was praying for the safety of the pilot and passengers.

Source: Stuff February 08, 2023 17:40 UTC