The family of a kidnapped New Zealand pilot have thanked the Indonesian rebels who released him for taking care of him during more than a year and a half in captivity.

Indonesian authorities said Saturday the New Zealand pilot who’s been held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region has been freed by separatist rebels.

Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua region have warned that military attacks in recent days to rescue a New Zealand pilot who was taken hostage over a year ago could instead threaten his sa