[5] On 7 February 2023 at 06:17 a.m. WIT, a Pilatus PC-6 Porter aircraft with the registration number PK-BVY[6] belonging to Susi Air arrived from Timika to Paro airport, Nduga.
[8] A few hours after the sighting, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) stated that it was likely that the passengers had been taken hostage by the OPM, who were also accused of setting the plane on fire.
[9] On the same day, OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom confirmed these allegations, claiming that the operation was led by Egianus Kogoya, a local TPNPB-OPM commander.
[22] On 14 February, members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the OPM, released several photos and videos of the New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens to the Associated Press.
Papua police chief Mathius Fakhiri also confirmed that local authorities were working with tribal and religious community leaders to negotiate with the rebels.
[23] That same week, a TNI spokesperson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Indonesian security forces were working to identify Mehrtens' exact location before attempting to rescue him.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) confirmed that it was working with the Indonesian Government and other agencies to secure Mehrtens' release and stated that his family had asked for privacy.
[26] On 24 February, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's (ULMWP) leader Benny Wenda called for Mehrtens' captors to release him.
[27] In late February 2023, Deakin University Emeritus Professor Damien Kingsbury was authorised by the TPNPB to serve as their intermediary with the New Zealand Government due to his previous work with Free Papuan groups.
According to the Indonesian Police, Kogoya killed an eight-year-old boy after the child's father, a local village head, had refused to supply the group with food.
[22] On 22 March, Radio New Zealand reported that Jeffery Bomanak, the chair of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), stated that the group was willing to negotiate with both the Indonesian Government and TPNPB-OPM to secure the safe release of Mehrtens.
New Zealand's foreign ministry commented that they were working closely with Indonesian authorities and deploying consular staff, to ensure a "peaceful resolution" and Mehrtens' "safe release".
[37] On 3 July, President Joko Widodo stated that the Indonesian government "will continue to attempt negotiations" with the insurgents to release pilot Mehrtens.
[citation needed] On 9 August, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called for the immediate release of Mehrtens, stating that his safety was the top priority and that the six-month milestone was difficult for his family.
[40] On 16 August, three civilians: two native Papuan civil servants and one migrant from Sulawesi, were tortured and killed by the TPNPB in Nduga Regency.
[43] On 7 September, Indonesian Police arrested a TPNPB member in Asmat Regency, South Papua, who withdrew Rp100 million (US$6,300) from a bank in order to buy supplies for Kogoya and his group.
[44] On 15 September, the TNI killed five members of Yotam Bugiangge's Armed Group from Nduga who had fled to Yahukimo near the Brazza River.
[47] In response, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Akouboo Amatus Douw claimed that Mehrtens was alive and healthy, and that the video dated back to May or June 2023.
[48] On 27 December, Sebby Sambom speaking to BBC News Indonesia said TPNPB-OPM Headquarters did not authorize the release of new photo of Mehrtens and Egianus Kogoya.
[56] On 21 September, Phillip Mehrtens was released from captivity following prolonged negotiations between the TPNPB, Indonesian authorities and New Zealand government agencies.
Mehrtens spoke to his family by phone and later attended a press conference before flying to Jakarta in an Indonesian Air Force plane.
[66] On 25 November, the TPNPB's Kodap III Ndugama attacked a TNI post of the 411/Pandawa Infantry Battalion of the Kostrad in Paro District, Nduga Regency.