The Indonesian Army soldiers deployed to rescue a captive New Zealand pilot were ambushed by the rebels in the island’s restive Papua province, leaving multiple personnel dead, and 30 reported missing.

While AP news agency, quoting a military official,&nbsp;claimed that nine soldiers were killed, the army, on the other hand, confirmed six casualties. Rebels, meanwhile, claimed that nine were killed, nine others were captured by them, and 21 fled into the jungle.

The Indonesian Army had sent 36 soldiers for Phillip Mehrtens, who&nbsp;was kidnapped by the members of the West Papua Liberation Army—the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement—after he landed his Susi Air plane at a remote strip in the rebel held area of the country in February. His aircraft was later set on fire.

“It’s still unknown exactly how many Indonesian army troops died and were injured. We are still searching, but heavy rain, foggy weather and a lack of communication have hampered our search and evacuation efforts,” Papua military spokesperson Col Herman Taryaman said, according to AP news agency.

Addressing a press conference, the spokesperson for the Indonesian National Armed Forces, First Admiral Julius Widjojono, said the troops confronted the rebels when they were trying to comb an area close to the position of the pilot and his abductors.

The rebels opened fire and shot a soldier who fell into a 15-metre deep ravine, and then launched a second attack on troops who were trying to get&nbsp;the fallen soldier's body out, Widjojono said.&nbsp;He assured that the troops will carry out the search operation “with maximum force”.

Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a statement that the group’s fighters carried out the attack in revenge for the killing of two rebels in a shootout with Indonesian security forces in March. He said at least nine members of Indonesia’s elite army force were killed in Saturday’s attack.

Saturday’s fighting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in recent years in Papua, a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia.&nbsp;Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces&nbsp;are common.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a UN-sponsored ballot that was&nbsp;widely seen as a sham. Since then a low-level insurgency has simmered in the region, which is divided into Papua and West Papua.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Indonesian Army soldiers deployed to rescue a captive New Zealand pilot were ambushed by the rebels in the island’s restive Papua province, leaving multiple personnel dead, and 30 reported missing.

The Indonesian Army soldiers deployed to rescue a captive New Zealand pilot were ambushed by the rebels in the island’s restive Papua province, leaving multiple personnel dead, and 30 reported missing. While AP news agency, quoting a military official, claimed that nine soldiers were killed, the army, on the other hand, confirmed six casualties. Rebels, meanwhile, claimed that nine were killed, nine others were captured by them, and 21 fled into the jungle. The Indonesian Army had sent 36 soldiers for Phillip Mehrtens, who was kidnapped by the members of the West Papua Liberation Army—the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement—after he landed his Susi Air plane at a remote strip in the rebel held area of the country in February. His aircraft was later set on fire. “It’s still unknown exactly how many Indonesian army troops died and were injured. We are still searching, but heavy rain, foggy weather and a lack of communication have hampered our search and evacuation efforts,” Papua military spokesperson Col Herman Taryaman said, according to AP news agency. Addressing a press conference, the spokesperson for the Indonesian National Armed Forces, First Admiral Julius Widjojono, said the troops confronted the rebels when they were trying to comb an area close to the position of the pilot and his abductors. The rebels opened fire and shot a soldier who fell into a 15-metre deep ravine, and then launched a second attack on troops who were trying to get the fallen soldier's body out, Widjojono said. He assured that the troops will carry out the search operation “with maximum force”. Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a statement that the group’s fighters carried out the attack in revenge for the killing of two rebels in a shootout with Indonesian security forces in March. He said at least nine members of Indonesia’s elite army force were killed in Saturday’s attack. Saturday’s fighting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in recent years in Papua, a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia. Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are common. Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a UN-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham. Since then a low-level insurgency has simmered in the region, which is divided into Papua and West Papua. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Rebels kill multiple Indonesian Army soldiers sent to rescue pilot kidnapped in West Papua

Days after a New Zealand pilot was abducted by rebels from Indonesia, photos and videos have been released by the separatist group from the restive Papua province that show him alive. The fighters from the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement — the West Papua Liberation Army — reportedly abducted Phillip Mark Mehrtens, the pilot from Christchurch, last week. &nbsp;Mehrtens,&nbsp;who works for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air,&nbsp;was set to pick up 15 construction workers facing death threats apparently over building a health centre in the remote Nduga district.&nbsp;

The pilot was held hostage with five passengers, who were later released because they were locals. The abduction was reported last Tuesday (February 7). In a statement cited by the news agency Reuters, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said the pilot would not be released until the government acknowledged the independence of West Papua. "Our plan to evacuate the workers angered the rebels, who responded by setting fire to the plane and seizing the pilot," district chief Namia Gwijangge, one of five people on board when the plane landed, was quoted as saying in a report.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Rebels demand independence for West Papua

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&nbsp;

While this is said to be the first such incident of abduction by the separatists since 1998, tensions between the rebels and the government have been on a rise since 2018. &nbsp;Last week, Susi Pudjiastuti, founder of Susi Air, urged for the safety of passengers and the pilot on Twitter.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-rejects-chinas-claims-in-the-south-china-sea-says-not-bound-by-claims-contravening-international-law-301513">Indonesia rejects China's claims in the South China Sea; says not bound by claims contravening international law</a>

In the clip, rebel leader Egianus Kogoya said that the pilot "will be safe as long as the administration does not use weapons from air or ground". The pilot can be seen surrounded by the separatists in a forested area in the visuals.&nbsp;

The local police are said to be making attempts to build a channel of communication with the rebels.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

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Days after a New Zealand pilot was abducted by rebels from Indonesia, photos and videos have been released by the separatist group from the restive Papua province that show him alive.

Days after a New Zealand pilot was abducted by rebels from Indonesia, photos and videos have been released by the separatist group from the restive Papua province that show him alive. The fighters from the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement — the West Papua Liberation Army — reportedly abducted Phillip Mark Mehrtens, the pilot from Christchurch, last week. Mehrtens, who works for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air, was set to pick up 15 construction workers facing death threats apparently over building a health centre in the remote Nduga district. The pilot was held hostage with five passengers, who were later released because they were locals. The abduction was reported last Tuesday (February 7). In a statement cited by the news agency Reuters, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said the pilot would not be released until the government acknowledged the independence of West Papua. "Our plan to evacuate the workers angered the rebels, who responded by setting fire to the plane and seizing the pilot," district chief Namia Gwijangge, one of five people on board when the plane landed, was quoted as saying in a report. Watch: Rebels demand independence for West Papua × While this is said to be the first such incident of abduction by the separatists since 1998, tensions between the rebels and the government have been on a rise since 2018. Last week, Susi Pudjiastuti, founder of Susi Air, urged for the safety of passengers and the pilot on Twitter. Also read: Indonesia rejects China's claims in the South China Sea; says not bound by claims contravening international law In the clip, rebel leader Egianus Kogoya said that the pilot "will be safe as long as the administration does not use weapons from air or ground". The pilot can be seen surrounded by the separatists in a forested area in the visuals. The local police are said to be making attempts to build a channel of communication with the rebels. (With agency inputs) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Week after New Zealand pilot’s abduction in Indonesia, photos, videos released by rebels

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Rebels kill multiple Indonesian Army soldiers sent to rescue pilot kidnapped in West Papua

Week after New Zealand pilot’s abduction in Indonesia, photos, videos released by rebels