Boy killed in TNI-GAM clash

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

A seven-year-old boy was shot dead on Wednesday in North Aceh regency, as a car in which he was traveling was allegedly ambushed by a group of Aceh rebels. Ten others were also injured during the incident, including three soldiers.

The victims were evacuated to Cut Meutia Hospital in Lhokseumawe, the capital of North Aceh regency, while two of the soldiers were rushed to the Medan military hospital in North Sumatra for intensive medical treatment.

The incident began when Rahmadana, the seven-year-old boy, was on board a public transportation vehicle along with other 12 passengers, five of them soldiers.

The vehicle was heading from Kuta Makmur district to Lhokseumawe in the morning when a group of Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels opened fire in Simpang Jambe subdistrict, North Aceh regency, some 25 kilometers from Lhokseumawe, an eyewitness said.

Although soldiers are not permitted to use public transportation vehicles for their own safety in war torn Aceh, in reality, soldiers often use such vehicles.

"Suddenly, there were a volley of gunshots. Passengers fled in panic," said Sarfah, the eye witness.

Rahmadana was killed instantly. The group of men, believed to be members of GAM, quickly fled the area.

Separately, GAM spokesman Tengku Jamaika acknowledged that his men had ambushed the vehicle. He blamed the Indonesian military for using civilians as cover during military operations.