New Zealand Pilot Glen Malcolm Conning Murdered in Papua, Say Police

PAPUA, RAKYAT NEWS— A New Zealand helicopter pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning (50), was killed in Papua, according to the Indonesian police.

It claims that pro separation the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB)—referred to by the Indonesian police as an armed criminal group—was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of New Zealand pilot Glen Malcolm Conning.

The TPNPB allegedly set fire to a helicopter owned by Intan Angkasa Air Service Inc, model IWN, MD 500 ER PK, in Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, at around 10:00 WIT on Monday (5/8).

“This incident occurred when the helicopter arrived in Alama District, Mimika Regency, carrying four passengers—two adults (medical personnel), one baby, and one child—from Moses Kilangin Timika Airport to Alama District,” stated Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, head of the special operation in Papua known as Operation Peace Cartenz 2024.

TPNPB-OPM spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, stated that they could not confirm the police’s allegations regarding the kidnapping and murder of Glen Malcolm Conning.

Head of Public Relations for Operation Peace Cartenz, Commissioner Bayu Suseno, claimed that information was received from a witness identified as D.

According to witness D, he explained that the passengers and pilot were immediately confronted by the TPNPB group upon arrival in Alama District. At that moment, Glen Malcolm Conning was killed, he said.

“At approximately 09:30 WIT, the helicopter flown by Glen Malcolm Conning was intercepted by the TPNPB group, who were armed,” Bayu added. “The pilot and passengers were forced to disembark and were gathered in a field near the landing site.”