Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura.   The Damai Cartenz Task Force confirmed that Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens, held captive by the armed criminal group (KKB), remains in Nduga regency, Papua Mountains, an official said. Responding to the recent circulated photos of the pilot, Chief of  the Task Force operation, Senior Superintendent Faizal Ramadhani said that the photos did show the latest condition of the New Zealand national pilot. "I can confirm that he is still alive and that the location is in the vicinity of the Nduga Regency," he said on Monday (15/1/2024). Recently circulated photos showed Mehrtens with long hair, a change from his appearance in the first images.  He was  photographed sitting next to his captor, Egianus Kogoya, with his fists clenched. Mehrtens has been held captive by the KKB since 7 February 2023, shortly after the plane landed at Paro airstrip in Nduga Regency. On 26 May 2023, the KKB released a video showing Philip's condition. The New Zealand pilot said that the KKB would shoot him if there were no negotiations within two months. (mg/ri/pr/nm)