Troops accidentally kill teen: Indonesian troops hunting

Troops accidentally kill teen: Indonesian troops hunting rebels in Aceh mistakenly shot dead a teenager and wounded his younger brother, the victims' mother said Thursday.

Darwati, from Leubu Lapehan in Bireuen district, said her oldest son Muntasir, 17, was shot dead by troops on Wednesday and a younger son, Harmadi, 14, was wounded.

However Aceh military spokesman Lt.Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said the only deaths in Bireuen on Wednesday were those of two suspected rebels, aged 18 and 19, who were shot during a clash.

The 40-year-old said she, her husband Suleiman, 60, and their three sons were in their hut when some 20 soldiers encircled the house and began firing shots.

"I do not know who shot them, there was only TNI (Indonesian armed forces) personnel there," Darwati said.

The soldiers took the two boys to hospital and later transferred the injured teenager to Banda Aceh. -- AFP

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