inp.polri.go.id - Timika. After going through a long negotiation process, Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group 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 military and police team and the 2024 Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force.

The New Zealand pilot was picked up by the team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains on Saturday, September 21st, 2024.

Head of Public Relations of 2024 Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force, Senior Superintendent Bayu Suseno, in his statement said that following his release, Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens had been flown to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force aircraft.

"Today, Saturday, September 21st, 2024, Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was flown to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force plane. The plane 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 local time," said Bayu.

In his closing statement, Bayu asked 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.

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