NZ pilot freed from captivity in Indonesia's Papua

"We are prioritising approach through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and Egianus Kogoya's close family to minimise casualties and maintain the safety of the pilot," said the chief of Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, on Saturday.

Mehrtens was freed and picked up by a joint team in Nduga Regency and was undergoing health check-ups and a physiological examination in Timika regency, the police said.

They police they would hold a news conference later.