A kidnapped New Zealand pilot was taken deeper into the jungles of West Papua New Guinea after rebels set fire to his plane and took him hostage.

Philip Mehrtens of Christchurch was captured early Tuesday by independence fighters from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Organization, who stormed his single-engine plane shortly after it landed at Paro’s small airport.

The rebels had threatened to execute the foreign citizen if Indonesia did not recognize Papua and liberate it from Indonesian colonialism.

The plane, operated by Indonesian airline Susi Air, was carrying five passengers and about 450 kg of relief supplies from Timika, a mining town in the neighboring Mimika district.

The rebels released the indigenous Papuan passengers and set fire to the plane, said rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom.

West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) spokesman Sebby Sambom told The Telegraph: “We expect our soldiers on the ground to take care of the New Zealand pilot,” adding that West Papuan activists would “monitor” Mr Mehrtens via video and audio message.

The soldiers were told not to harm the New Zealander, he said.

“My boys will take care of him,” said Mr Sambom. “We are human beings, we understand, we understand humanitarian aid, but only Indonesia comes and kills like animals.”

Mehrtens, 37, who is said to be married and has a young son, is being held specifically because New Zealand, Australia and the United States are cooperating militarily with Indonesia, he said.

In an alarming statement on Wednesday morning, Sambom confirmed that the New Zealand pilot was still alive.

He is being held hostage for negotiations with Jakarta, Mr Sambom said in a statement posted on social media.

“If Jakarta remains stubborn, the pilot will be executed,” Sambom said.

A fellow pilot and former colleague told the news agency Things that Mehrtens flew “dangerous routes” with short runways on steep hills.

“It shows what a family man he is, putting himself in danger to make money and support his family. Phil is the nicest guy, he really is – no one has ever said anything bad about him.”

Last year, conflicts in the region escalated, with dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians killed.