PNG Defence Force troops are searching around the border with Indonesia for two foreigners allegedly being held against their will.
The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill tonight confirmed that “a group of individuals’’ were being sought over the missing men.
He said two Indonesian men are believed to have been captured and being held “against their will’’ near the border with Indonesia.
But the Prime Minister gave no other details of the two men or where the incident had happened along the border.
The Prime Minister said it would not be appropriate to release further information at this time on the current operation.
He said the Indonesian nationals were understood to have been taken last week and attempts had been underway to secure their release through peaceful means.
“When we were advised that two Indonesian nationals were likely being held against their will I ordered that contact be made with the people involved,’’ the Prime Minister said.
“Initial discussions were held, first through a mediator then through direct means.
“However the group have since changed location and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel are now moving to intercept the people involved.’’