Army captain killed in latest incident of rebel violence

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)