Military probes Aceh rebels arms cache<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Military authorities in Aceh are investigating
\nthe origin of 49 assault rifles they seized in two places this
\nweek, a senior minister said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
\nSoesilo Soedarman said the authorities were also probing who
\nstored the rifles and ammunition and their motive.<\/p>\n
\"As of today, we have had no information on whether the
\nfirearms were supplied by a foreign country,\" Soesilo said after
\nmeeting with officials from ministries he coordinates.<\/p>\n
In a raid Tuesday troops in Panggoi, near Lhok Seumawe, seized
\n18 assault rifles, two of which were M-16s and 12 AK-47s. The
\nIndonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) uses both the above American-made
\nguns.<\/p>\n
Troops and alleged separatist rebels were engaged in a
\nshootout for less than an hour prior to the find. Two rebels were
\narrested and another managed to escape.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Sudaryanto, head of Bukit Barisan Regional Military
\nCommand overseeing security in Aceh, North Sumatra and West
\nSumatra provinces said the two M-16s were seized by rebels in
\n1990.<\/p>\n
He said rebels of the Free Aceh Movement snatched the rifles
\nfrom two soldiers doing a civic mission in Buloh Blang Ara,
\nnorthern Aceh, in which two soldiers were killed.<\/p>\n
On Monday the military raided another rebel hideout in Langsa,
\neastern Aceh, and seized 31 assault rifles consisting of 24
\nRussian-made AK-47s and seven M-16s.<\/p>\n
Military authorities in Aceh suspect that separatist rebels
\nwere planning to sabotage the giant Arun natural gas field in
\ncentral Aceh.<\/p>\n
Soesilo said that the intelligence operation that led to the
\ndiscovery of the arms cache began after a fatal bank robbery in
\nLhok Seumawe earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Two employees of Bank Central Asia were shot dead and the
\nrobbers fled with Rp 405 million (US$172,000) in cash.<\/p>\n
\"We believe the rifles belong to separatist rebels,\" Soesilo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Authorities in Aceh have said that remnants of the Free Aceh
\nMovement are active again. (imn\/pan)<\/p>",
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