E. Timor soldiers found dead

E. Timor soldiers found dead

DILI, East Timor: The bodies of two Armed Forces members, who were kidnapped by an unidentified group of youths in Vemasse subdistrict in Baucau district on March 6, have been found, the military said.

"They were buried in Bucoli village," 113 kilometers east of here, Dili Military Commander Col. Tono Suratman said here on Thursday, Antara reported. He added that the decomposing bodies of Sgt. Katamir and Cpl. Nasikin, which were brought to the Dili Wirahusada Hospital, were found Thursday morning after three suspects were arrested.

He said an autopsy was being conducted, after which the bodies were to be given a military burial at the Fili Heroes' cemetery.

The two members were kidnapped while they were heading to Dili from Baucau aboard a bus. Their bus was stopped by youths who beat the Armed Forces members, seized their pistols and disappeared with their victims.

Tono accused The National Resistance Council for an Independent East Timor (CNRT), of being responsible for the abduction and murders, saying that the victims, judging from the condition of their bodies, had been tortured to death.