Separatist rebels release passengers but take New Zealand pilot hostage drama in Papua (update)

Separatist fighters took the pilot hostage after setting a small commercial plane on fire when it landed in a remote highland area. - PHOTO: PARTAISOCMED/TWITTER via The Straits Times/ANN

JAYAPURA, Feb 7 (AP): Separatist rebels set fire to a small plane carrying six people after it landed at a remote airport in Indonesia's restive Papua province and took its pilot, a New Zealand citizen, hostage early Tuesday, police and rebels said.

Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said independence fighters from the West Papua Liberation Army, the military wing of the Free Papua Organization, stormed the plane shortly after it landed in Paro in Nduga, a mountainous district.