An Australian helicopter pilot and two others who were kidnapped in the Papua New Guinea highlands have been freed. Abducted Monday afternoon near Mount Sisa, in an isolated area of the central province of Hela where they had gone to work on a telecommunications tower.
A wave of kidnappings and tribal violence in the highlands of New Guinea has left several hundred dead in recent years. Last week, more than 50 bodies were found alongside a main road following clashes between rival clans. The government is under great pressure to strengthen security in the region.