Inp.polri.go.id - Timika. An armed criminal group killed New Zealand pilot Glen Malcolm Conning, 50, and burned his helicopter in Alama District, Mimika regency, Central Papua, on Monday (5/8/2024) around 10 am local time. 

The victim, identified as Glen Malcolm Conning (50), was flying a PT Intan Angkasa Air Service helicopter when the incident occurred.

Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, the Chief of the Damai Cartenz Operations 2024, confirmed the attack and the murder. 

The helicopter, which had four passengers including two adults, a baby, and a child, was ambushed by the group upon arrival in Alama district. The pilot and passengers were forcibly disembarked, and pilot Conning was killed.

The helicopter and Conning’s body were then set on fire. All passengers survived the attack. Alama District is isolated, with access only by helicopter.

The police and military forces continued to hunt down the suspects.

(mg/ta/hn/nm)