Army captain killed in latest incident of rebel violence

BANDA ACEH (JP): An army captain became the latest victim of what Aceh separatist rebels claim to be a series of retaliatory attacks against military and police personnel.

Capt. Alex Cikatarada was buried in his home province of Jambi on Tuesday afternoon. He died of severe stab wounds at a Takengon market the day before.

Lilawangsa Military Resort chief Col. Syafnil Armen said the army intelligence officer from the Central Aceh Military district was stabbed as he was walking with a fried, M. Yusuf, to buy food.

Syafnil said on Tuesday Alex died in Takengon hospital later on Monday night, while M. Yusuf survived the attack.

Alex was suddenly approached and attacked by four men while he was walking.

"Tension is running high here as attacks by separatists on police and military personnel have been rampant in the past couple of weeks," Syafnil said.

"They (The Free Aceh Movement or GAM) must not trigger the authorities' anger like this, especially in this fasting month," he added.

Three police officers and one soldier have died in separate incidents in the past two weeks.

Separately, GAM military commander Teuku Abdullah Syafii said his "soldiers" would continue assaults against police and military personnel as retaliation for atrocities which they committed in the past.

"We will take severe revenge," Abdullah said on Monday night at a secret location.

Abdullah also told police and military forces to promptly withdraw from Aceh otherwise these attacks will continue.

"We want all Indonesian Military (TNI) leaders to withdraw their personnel from Aceh as soon as possible.

"Do not blame us if they (the soldiers) do not return. If you want to be saved, better leave Aceh," he threatened.

Pidie Military District chief Lt. Col. Iskandar M.S. expressed regret over the latest outbreak of violence in the territory.

"We apologize to people for the repressive or harsh acts taken. We really have no choice but to do so as GAM has initiated this whole conflict," he said on Tuesday.

The police and military last month called for limited martial law to be imposed in Aceh. However President Abdurrahman Wahid has said that it is unnecessary. (50/edt)