Security personnel conduct intensive sweeps in Aceh<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Police and military conducted thorough
\nchecks on Monday in several districts in Pidie and North Aceh
\nfollowing a series of attacks over the Idul Fitri weekend in
\nwhich 10 policemen were injured.<\/p>\n
Sweeping operations were carried out in Peukan Baro, Bandar
\nBaru and Meurudu area, districts said to be used as bases for
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists.<\/p>\n
Security personnel intensively checked the vehicles and
\nidentity documents of residents in the area, and seized several
\nmotorbikes with incomplete vehicle licenses.<\/p>\n
Five people were held for questioning during the operation,
\nsaid Pidie Police chief Lt. Col. Endang Emiqail Bagus.<\/p>\n
The most serious incident occurred on Sunday night at
\nLhoksukon Police subprecinct in North Aceh. Six policemen were
\ninjured when armed rebels sprayed bullets and threw grenades at
\nthe police post at about 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Aceh Police spokesman Lt. Col. Sayed Husaini identified the
\nsix wounded as Sgt Maj. Ibrahim bin Ismail, 45; Sgt Maj.
\nAlimuddin, 40; Sgt Maj. Asrul Sani, 45; Sgt. Wahyudin, 35; Sgt.
\nSutrisno, 25, and Sgt. Hilman, 23.<\/p>\n
A young boy named Joni, who was employed as an office boy at
\nthe subprecinct, was also wounded in the attack.<\/p>\n
\"All of the victims have been evacuated and treated at the
\nLilawangsa Military hospital in North Aceh,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Witnesses reported a grenade exploded in the subprecinct's
\nyard and the rebels were also believed to be using rifles.<\/p>\n
A few hours later at about 8 p.m. another attack occurred at
\nthe police subprecinct and military office in Peukan Baro, Pidie
\nregency.<\/p>\n
\"An armed gang attacked the posts at close range. They were in
\na Kijang van and some were riding motorbikes. The group fled the
\nscene right after they sprayed bullets,\" Sayed said.<\/p>\n
No fatalities or injuries were reported in this particular
\nattack. Most of the damage was limited to a car and two
\nmotorbikes parked outside the subprecinct.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m. armed rebels raided the
\nTanah Luas Police subprecinct in North Aceh.<\/p>\n
Police and rebels engaged in an intense exchange of fire for
\nabout 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
Four policemen -- Sgt. Nurwahyu, Sgt. Nur Arifin, Sgt. Tri
\nYanto and Sgt. Kusnanto -- escaped with minor gunshot wounds. All
\nfour were from the Police Mobile Brigade unit.<\/p>\n
\"The armed rebels fled the scene right after the attack, and
\nwe have no details if there were any casualties on their side,\"
\nSayed remarked.<\/p>\n
According to police data, violence in Aceh claimed 293 lives,
\n202 of them civilian, in 1999.<\/p>\n
A total of 419 buildings, including schools, and 63 vehicles
\nwere either burned down or severely damaged throughout the year.
\nAlmost all the destruction was caused by attacks or clashes with
\nthe separatist movement. (51\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-personnel-conduct-intensive-sweeps-in-aceh-1447893297",
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