The rescue operation of the New Zealand pilot claimed the lives of 6 soldiers in Indonesia, 30 other soldiers are missing, said the Australian television channel ABC.
Referring to local authorities, the television channel reports that the tragedy occurred in Indonesian Papua, where separatists from the TPNPB-OPM organization shot down a plane from the Indonesian airline Susi Air on February 8, the pilot been taken hostage.
The operation that began ended with the death of 6 soldiers, another 30 disappeared in the jungle, the TV channel reported, citing information received.
At the same time, the representative of the Indonesian army did not confirm the information, saying that the exact data on the dead and missing are unknown. According to him, the search continues, hampered by rain, fog and lack of communication.
The western part of the island of New Guinea is part of Indonesia as Indonesian Papua, while its eastern part is an independent state – Papua New Guinea. Separatist movements have been active in the region for decades, setting themselves the task of separating it from Indonesia and establishing it as an independent state.
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