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Mahfud vows restraint as troops surround separatists holding NZ pilot
Philip Mehrtens, a Susi Air pilot, was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TNPB) on Feb. 7 after landing in the remote region of Nduga.
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National Police Commission (Kompolnas) chief Mahfud MD (right) and National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) chairman Ahmad Taufan Damanik (left) attend a hearing at House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs at the House complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday. The hearing was held to discuss the charging of former police internal affairs division chief Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo of the murder of Brig. Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
S
ecurity forces in Papua region have surrounded separatists holding captive a New Zealand pilot, but will exercise restraint while negotiations for his release continue, Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Mahfud MD said on Tuesday.
Philip Mehrtens, a Susi Air pilot, was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TNPB) on Feb. 7 after landing in the remote region of Nduga.
The rebels say they will not release Mehrtens, 37, unless Indonesia's government recognises the region's independence and withdraws its troops.
Mahfud said security forces had found the location of the group holding the pilot but would refrain from actions that might endanger his life.
"Now, they are under siege and we already know their location. But we must be careful," Mahfud said.
He did not elaborate on the location or what steps the government might take to free the pilot.
Indonesian Military chief, Admiral Yudo Margono said operations were complicated by the presence of civilians in the area.
