Australian pilot kidnapped in Papua New Guinea

“We are very focused on resolving this issue as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner David Manning, who confirmed the pilot’s citizenship.

The pilot and two others, believed to be working in telecommunications, were abducted near Mount Sissa in the central Hela province.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape told AFP that Australia’s “high commissioner has been briefed on the matter”.

Mr Marape said police and defense forces were being dispatched to the area.

In recent years, the troubled remote highlands of Papua New Guinea have seen a series of kidnappings and tribal violence that have killed hundreds of people.

Last week, more than 50 bodies were found on the side of the road. The victims are believed to be tribal fighters who were ambushed by a rival group.

In 2023, a New Zealand archaeologist and two other people were taken hostage at gunpoint in a remote and forested region of the country near where the latest incident took place.

The police spent a week negotiating with the hostage-takers, who initially demanded 1 million. ransoms of US dollars (944.8 thousand euros) – huge sums in one of the poorest countries of the Pacific Ocean region. Finally, it was agreed on the release of the hostages.

The government is under intense pressure to increase security resources in the region and combat growing lawlessness.

“I want to inform everyone that committing crimes does not pay because they ultimately end in the arrest or death of criminals, so I thank the local residents who are assisting the police at this time,” Mr Marape said.

Police Commissioner Manning said the details of the situation were still emerging, but the alleged attackers were not believed to be from the area.

“We are working closely with community leaders,” he added.