Acehnese couple gunned down

Acehnese couple gunned down

LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: An elementary school teacher, Rosmiati, 45, and her husband Hasan Basri, 50, were gunned down by unidentified assailants at their home in Idie Rayeuk, East Aceh.

The incident took place in the village, 400 kilometers from Banda Aceh, on Tuesday.

Military spokesman Maj. Zaenal Mutaqin confirmed on Thursday that both casualties bore gunshot wounds.

He said he had received a report that the shooting was carried out by at least 10 armed men. Local security forces claimed that the assailants were members of the secessionist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

There was neither confirmation nor denial forthcoming from the separatist group.

The Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) confirmed that 50 teachers had been killed in the Aceh violence so far. --Antara