Efforts to rescue a pilot from New Zealand kidnapped earlier this year by rebels in New Guinea turned deadly. Per AP:
JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian security forces recovered the bodies of four government soldiers who were killed in a separatist attack while searching for a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by the rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua region, officials said Thursday.
The four elite army troops were killed on Saturday after attackers from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, ambushed 36 government soldiers in Nduga district in the mountainous Papua Highlands province.
Security forces found the bodies on Wednesday, including that of a soldier who fell into a 15-meter-deep (49-foot) ravine, and evacuated them to a hospital in Timika, a mining city in neighboring Central Papua province, said Papua military spokesperson Col. Herman Taryaman.
The troops were ambushed by the rebels while searching for Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot who was abducted by the rebels in February, Taryaman said. The rebels shot a soldier who fell into the ravine, and launched a second attack while troops were trying to get the body out, he added.
Taryaman said security forces are searching for a fifth soldier who is still missing, but bad weather conditions and steep forested terrain have impeded their search and evacuation operation.
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This is noble work. And, lordy, what glorious country…
In South Africa, determined people, both men and women, are coming together in a united effort to safeguard rhinos and other endangered wildlife from ruthless poachers. Armed with their courage and dedication, these protectors, some with military backgrounds or as volunteers, are rallying to defend the precious flora and fauna of national parks. Their mission: to combat this pressing threat and preserve the environment for future generations.
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This offering from Ye Banished Privateers makes me happy…
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And this stirs me.
The magnificent Eivør Pálsdóttir is the voice of The Last Kingdom. She’s touching something deep, wild and atavistic, and she does it with such manifest joy. The Northern Thing. If you know, you know.
This is going on the Frontier Partisan Biathlon Playlist:
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Ah, yes, the Northern Thing. I’m in for this. The far, frozen frontier of Fennario.
Quixotic Mainer says
That’s a noteworthy band of guerillas! I have to say I find the fact that they have archers in their mix is easier to explain than the one random white guy in a denim jacket and a bush hat. Either a journalist or an “advisor”, I’d guess. I had a good friend work in that area for a while, doing GIS mapping for their government, his description of the climate made that sound like a rough place to operate in for the unacclimated.
I really enjoyed the tales from King Phillip’s War!
JimC says
Glad the KPW series hit home. White dude is the captive NZ pilot— apparently trying to stay on their good side.
Matthew says
Or he has a bit of the Stockholm.
JimC says
He generally looks pretty dismayed.
Quixotic Mainer says
Wow! At least there’s some proof of life for the HRT/Negotiators then.
David Wrolson says
Re-South Africa poachers.
Too much family (wife, daughter and son-esp daughter) going along this time so in the interest of safety I have to relegate the thoughts of running into a band of poachers far into the column of things that I hope don’t happen.
Although, I am somewhat more concerned about safety this time (June 2023 to South Africa) than I was to Namibia in 2021 and Zimbabwe in 2013.
I would be lying to deny that the presence of my 22 year old daughter along turns my thoughts in those directions.
That trip is coming fast and I haven’t got all the paperwork dotted and crossed yet-I guess I am a little more relaxed about that this time than I should be.
JimC says
Man that’ll be here before you know it. I’m excited for you. That country just stirs me to my soul.
David Wrolson says
I think this time we will be in Breaker Morant country (formerly the northern Transvaal) or the closest I have come to it anyway.
JimC says
Outstanding.
backrooms says
It would be dishonest of me to deny that the presence of my daughter, who is 22 years old, influences the way that I think about the situation.