Alleged bomb makers nailed in East Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): East Aceh Police precinct have arrested seven alleged bomb makers in a recent raid at a welding workshop in Payabili village, an officer said on Thursday.

Police Special Operation Cinta Meunasah deputy chief Supt. Yatim Suyatmo said the arrests were made on Tuesday during a crackdown at the workshop apparently used for making bombs.

The seven, identified as the station's owner Suryadi and employees -- Syamsul Bahri, Warimin bin Waris, Suwardi bin Sugiatno, Suhaimi, Legi bin Barien and Syawaluddin bin Arianto -- are currently being detained at the police station for further questioning.

"We'll investigate their roles in the bomb production. But one thing for sure is that they have violated the laws," Suyatmo said as quoted by Antara.

He did not specify the laws he was referring to.

At the welding workshop, the police had found several articles such as steel bars, a Handie-Talkie antenna, two grinders and two metal shells supposedly to be filled with explosive powder.

"We will investigate further to uncover their suppliers and buyers as homemade bombs had been used in various attacks on government's facilities and security personnel," Suyatmo said.

In a related development, Pidie Police precinct chief Ass. Supt. Heru Budi Ersanto said on Wednesday that joint security forces raided on Tuesday the headquarters of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Cot Baroh village, Glumpang Tiga district in Pidie regency.

The officer said the raid triggered a gunfight that killed ten people including two separatist rebels, one of them was later identified as GAM deputy commander of Tiro district Tengku Yahya, 60, who was also an advisor to GAM commander Tengku Abdullah Syafiie.

Antara reported that apart from the fatalities, there were at least 21 residents who are missing. Many believe they have died.

Heru said the raid by the 70 police personnel was aimed at locating the three missing police officers allegedly kidnapped by GAM rebels.

"And we have learned from residents that the missing officers are being held hostage at the GAM headquarters in Cot Baroh village," he said. (50/lup)