10 killed in fresh violence in Aceh over the weekend

Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

At least 10 people were shot dead in four separate incidents in Aceh over the weekend, police and military officers said on Monday.

Aceh Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Dade Achmad said five suspected Free Aceh Movement (GAM) fighters, including a woman, were killed in two separate skirmishes in West Aceh on Sunday afternoon.

The first took place at about 3 p.m. on Sunday in Tingkeh village, Woyla, some 250 kilometers southeast of Banda Aceh. The gunfire lasted for about 20 minutes, and personnel belonging to the National Police's Mobile Brigade shot dead two suspected GAM guerrillas, identified as Rauzan, 35, and his wife.

The second clash broke out one hour later in Blang Dalam village, just a few kilometers from Tingkeh village. Dade said three unidentified GAM fighters were killed by Mobile Brigade members in a 15-minute heated encounter.

Police confiscated one minivan, 35 rounds of ammunition, three motorbikes and one set of radio communications from the site of the incidents, Dade said.

There was no confirmation from GAM on the incidents.

Meanwhile, in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, about 250 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, three civilians were shot dead by four unidentified people wearing masks on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses said four people dressed in civilian clothes and riding on two motorbikes shot three residents of Teumpok Teungoh village.

The three were identified as Mulyadi, 25, who was a driver for PT Telkomsel, Basri, 30, and Ridwan. Mulyadi and Basri died on the spot, while Ridwan died on the way to Cut Meutia Public Hospital in Lhokseumawe on Sunday evening.

North Aceh Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Sunardi said authorities were investigating the incident.

Aceh Military spokesman May. Zaenal Muttaqien said GAM killed a civilian in Bireuen, North Aceh on Sunday.

Muttaqien also said the Indonesian Military (TNI) shot dead a man believed to be a member of GAM while he was attempting to escape security personnel who were searching for him near a housing complex of PT Arun NGL. Co. in North Aceh.

But witnesses said the man was a civilian working as an ojek (motorcycle driver) in the Batuphat area, near PT Arun's housing complex.

GAM spokesman for North Aceh Tengku Jamaika said security personnel were responsible for the killing.

Thousands of Acehnese, including civilians, are believed to have died since 1976 when GAM began its fight for independence in the country's westernmost province.