7 suspected rebels killed in Aceh

BANDA ACEH: The government troops have shot dead seven suspected separatist rebels and captured five others in separate clashes in war-torn Aceh province, the military said Wednesday.

Troops shot dead five members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) during a one-hour clash early on Wednesday in the Alue Glue area of Pidie district, said military spokesman Ahmad Yani Basuki.

Also in Pidie district, troops killed a 25-year old rebel in a separate clash at Peureuk, Basuki said. Soldiers seized two AK-47 rifles from the rebels.

On Tuesday soldiers scouring the Simpang Jernih area in Aceh Tamiang district shot dead a rebel.

In two separate raids in West Aceh on Tuesday troops captured four suspected rebels including a man believed to be a local commander, Basuki said.

Another rebel was captured during a raid in Pidie district the same day.

Basuki accused GAM of ambushing two military vehicles at Peusangan in Bireuen district on Tuesday. No one was injured.

The military on May 19 launched a major offensive to crush GAM, which has been fighting for independence since 1976.

It said Wednesday that 667 guerrillas had been killed since then and some 1,554 others had been arrested or surrendered.