At least six Indonesian soldiers have been reportedly killed during a mission to rescue New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who was abducted by armed separatist group West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in February.
Army reports said 36 troops were stationed at a post in the district of Nduga when gunmen from the TPNPB opened fire on Saturday, AP reported.
Military reports seen by AP state that six people died while another 21 are missing after they fled into the jungle.
An Indonesian military spokesman has only confirmed one death.
The soldier was shot and fell into a deep ravine and while fellow troops were getting his body out, the government troops were ambushed a second time, said First Admiral Julius Widjojono, spokesman for the Indonesian Armed Forces….