Violence Erupts in Papua as Rebels Hold New Zealand Pilot Hostage
TL;DR
At least one Indonesian soldier has been killed in a rebel attack while searching for a kidnapped New Zealand pilot in the Papua region. Rebels later claimed nine soldiers were shot dead in the clash, while the Associated Press cited military sources that put the death toll at six. The troops were part of a detachment sent to locate Phillip Mehrtens, who was taken hostage in February. Papua rebels have been seeking independence from Jakarta for decades.
- Papua: At least one killed in hunt for kidnapped NZ pilot Philip Mehrtens BBC
- Six soldiers killed, 30 missing in attempt to rescue kidnapped pilot in West Papua The Guardian
- Rebels holding New Zealand pilot hostage claim they've killed at least 13 Indonesian soldiers CNN
- Rebels in Indonesia's Papua say they killed 9 soldiers; army says 1 died Nikkei Asia
- Rebels in Indonesia's Papua say they killed 9 army soldiers Bangkok Post
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