The soldiers are trying to bring back Phillip Mark Mehrtens, who was abducted by rebels in February

 
At least six people have died, and 30 soldiers are feared missing in the West Papua jungle, after trying to search and free a New Zealand pilot.

The pilot, Phillip Mark Mehrtens, was abducted by rebels in February, but heavy rain and foggy weather made the rescue attempt more treacherous.

The rebels stormed a single-engined plane shortly after it landed on a small runway in Paro in remote Nduga district and abducted its pilot.

The plane was scheduled to pick up 15 construction workers, who had been building a health centre, after separatist rebels threatened to kill them.

It has been confirmed nine soldiers are being held by the rebels.

“It’s still unknown exactly how many Indonesian army troops died and were injured,” Papua military spokesperson Col Herman Taryaman said.

“We are still searching, but heavy rain, foggy weather and a lack of communication have hampered our search and evacuation efforts.”