Boy killed in TNI-GAM clash

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.