Timika-* After going through a long negotiation process, Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) was successfully released and arrived safely in Mimika Regency, Papua Mountains.This release was the result of a joint operation carried out by the Joint TNI-Polri Team and the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation Task Force.The New Zealand pilot was picked up by the Joint TNI-Polri Team and the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation Task Force in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation Task Force, Kombespol Dr. Bayu Suseno, in his statement said that Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens had been flown to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force aircraft.”Today, Saturday, September 21, 2024, Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was flown to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force aircraft. The aircraft is scheduled to transit at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar, to refuel, before continuing the flight to Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in Jakarta, and is estimated to arrive at 20.00 WIB,” said Kombespol Dr. Bayu Suseno.Kombespol Dr. Bayu Suseno also added that the team accompanying Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens’ departure included the Head of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation, the Nanggala Task Force Team, the Papua Police, Kogabwilhan III, and Pilot Afis, who is a colleague of Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.”We ask for prayers from the entire community so that the flight runs smoothly and safely until Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens and his entourage arrive in Jakarta,” concluded Kombespol Dr. Bayu Suseno.
