Dozens of soldiers killed or missing after ambush during ex Jetstar pilot rescue attempt

Rebels holding a former Jetstar pilot captive in the Papua jungle since February have staged a deadly ambush of soldiers trying to free him.

At least six soldiers were killed and 30 others are missing after a disastrous attempt to rescue a former Jetstar pilot being held hostage by rebels in Papua.

The ambush came as the army group scoured the jungle for Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot who worked for the Indonesian airline Susi Air.

He was kidnapped by the rebels in February.

One soldier was killed when he fell into a 15m ravine, with other soldiers were attacked when they tried to rescue him.

Indonesia’s military said the group was scouring the remote, hilly Nduga district on Saturday when gunmen opened fire.

Phillip Mark Mehrtens, the New Zealand pilot being held hostage in the Papuan Highlands

“The condition of the other soldiers who are spread in several locations is still unknown,” Indonesian military spokesman Julius Widjojono told a press conference Sunday.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the military wing of Papua’s main separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack and said they had killed nine soldiers.

The rebels had previously demanded that Indonesia recognise Papuan independence in return for the pilot’s release, as well as a meeting with President Joko Widodo facilitated by the international community.

TPNPB said the attack was an act of defence against the military activity in the region and demanded the government instead negotiate for Mehrtens’ release.

The group have previously issued a warning to Australia.

The West Papuan National Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack on Mehrtens and threatened to kill him if the government in Jakarta did not recognise the independence of West Papua – which refers to the western side of the island of New Guinea.

“We want to convey that we have taken this pilot hostage and brought it to the TPNPB headquarters which is far from the airfield area,” a spokesman for the group, Sebby Sambom, told The Australian in a statement.

Sebby Sambom from Papua Liberation group.

“TPNPB considers New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, America, Europe, all are responsible. The US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand has supported the Indonesian government, trained The Indonesian National Police, supplied weapons to kill us West Papuans from 1963 to today. They must be held accountable,” the TPNPB statement said.

Papua military spokesman Colonel Herman Taryaman said: “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.”

Mr Mehrtens, 37, first worked for Susi Air after finishing flight school but returned to New Zealand in 2016 to work for Jetstar.

Indonesian military spokesman Julius Widjojono speaks during a press conference at the military headquarter in Jakarta. Picture: AFP

Flying is the only way to reach the mountainous areas in Papua, where rebel attacks have risen in recent years.

Papua’s Melanesian population shares few cultural connections with the rest of Indonesia and the military has long been accused of gross human rights abuses there.

A former Dutch colony, Papua declared itself independent in 1961, but neighbouring Indonesia took control two years later, promising an independence referendum.

The subsequent vote in favour of staying part of Indonesia was widely considered a sham.

Originally published as Dozens of soldiers killed or missing after ambush during ex Jetstar pilot rescue attempt