Rebels attack Indonesian soldiers in west Papua region

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 military sources 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.

The Indonesian troops were attacked while searching for Mr Mehrtens near a separatist stronghold in the mountainous Nduga district.

The west Papua national liberation army has claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was launched to deter military efforts to rescue Mr Mehrtens.