Armed criminals holding 4 hostages in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea’s security forces are ready to use lethal force to free one foreign national and three citizens of the South Pacific island nation from armed criminals, the police commissioner said.

The foreign national and three Papua New Guinean university students were “held by criminals in the border region of South Highlands, Hela and Western provinces,” Police Commissioner David Manning said in a statement dated Monday and received by The Associated. Press early Tuesday.

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The foreign national is a New Zealand national who lives in Australia and works as an archaeologist at an Australian university, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. The media said it did not release the archaeologist’s name due to the sensitivity of the situation.

Four hostages are held by armed criminals in Papua New Guinea.

Four hostages are held by armed criminals in Papua New Guinea. (Fox News)

Manning said the safety of the hostages was the top priority of the security forces who “are operating within their established rules of engagement in dealing with these criminals.”

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“Our specialized security force personnel will use any means necessary against criminals, including the use of lethal force, in order to provide for the safety and security of detained persons,” added Manning.

New Zealand’s foreign affairs and trade ministry said in an email on Tuesday it was aware of the case but did not provide further information due to privacy concerns.

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Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade declined to comment.

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