TNI frees two hostages in Aceh<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH: The Indonesian military said Monday it freed two
\npeople seized by separatist rebels in Aceh province while both
\nsides continued to argue over releasing dozens of other rebel
\ncaptives.<\/p>\n
The hostage release came as two more alleged rebels and a
\ncivilian died in separate incidents of violence.<\/p>\n
Acting on information from citizens, cavalry troops freed the
\ntwo captives at about 8:00 p.m. Sunday in Peureulak, East Aceh,
\nseveral hours after Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels had taken
\nthem, Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said.<\/p>\n
The hostages were among a group of five people in a van
\ncaptured by the rebels, he said. The whereabouts of the other
\nthree passengers are unknown, Yani Basuki said.<\/p>\n
\"When the government is making a serious effort to free
\nhostages they (GAM) continue the abductions. In fact, over the
\npast three days alone they have taken eight other civilians
\nhostage,\" Basuki said.<\/p>\n
GAM denied any fresh kidnappings.<\/p>\n
\"All along the road there are a lot of TNI and Brimob posts.
\nHow could it be possible for GAM to take passengers of that van
\nhostage?\" GAM's Peureulak operational commander, Ishak Daud, said
\nto AFP in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He was referring to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and
\nBrimob paramilitary police.<\/p>\n
The rebels have said they would release about 80 captives they
\nare holding in East Aceh if the military grants a two-day
\nceasefire, but that any release must be arranged with Red Cross
\nrepresentatives rather than military or government negotiators.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-frees-two-hostages-in-aceh-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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