Glen Malcolm Conning, a pilot for air cargo transportation company PT Intan Angkasa Air Service, was killed after rebels rounded up those on board after the helicopter landed at an airstrip in Alama district, according to the joint police-military Operation Cartenz Peace task force, which was formed to counter Papua separatists. The pilot flew the helicopter from Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika, also in Central Papua, with four health workers and two children on board, all of whom survived.

“Komnas HAM condemns the attack on the pilot and six passengers, which harms efforts to bring about peace in Papua,” the government-sanctioned but independent rights body said in a statement on Wednesday and offered deep condolences for the death of Conning.

The commission also demanded a transparent and accountable investigation into the rebels and called on the government and security forces “to ensure the safety of civilians in Papua”.

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The motive for Monday's killing was not immediately clear.

Four teams of police and military personnel from the Cartenz task force are now hunting the armed rebels behind the attack, while investigators from Timika Police are still collecting evidence and questioning witnesses.