By Tim Swanston in Port Moresby, ABC
Highlands of Papua New Guinea. File photo. Photo: Supplied
An Australian pilot has been kidnapped "at gunpoint" in Papua New Guinea's highlands on Monday afternoon.
In a statement, PNG Police Commissioner David Manning said the pilot and two Papua New Guinean technicians were taken captive at a remote telecommunications site.
"The pilot and passengers were taken at gunpoint by an issue-motivated group while the helicopter was undertaking a scheduled stop in the vicinity of Mt Sisa, Tari, this afternoon," Manning said.
"All indications are that the three ... remain unhurt even though they are being held captive."
Mt Sisa is in a remote area near the border of Hela and PNG's Southern Highlands.
Commissioner Manning said negotiations were currently underway.
"I have made it clear to police personnel on the ground that they are clear to use up to lethal force against the kidnappers [if they] fail to comply with police directions," he said.
Kidnapping is not a new development in these PNG provinces.
An Australian professor and two local researchers were taken in the same area last year.
The Department for Foreign Affairs has been contacted for comment.
- This story was first published by the ABC.
