Five policemen hurt in bomb blast

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Five police bomb squad (Gegana) personnel in West Aceh were wounded when a bomb they were defusing exploded, police said on Friday.

The incident took place at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at Ujung Kareung Police dormitory in Johan Pahlawan district in the West Aceh town of Meulaboh.

All the victims, who are members of the Second Gegana regiment from Jakarta, were handling homemade bombs seized in a series of raids on Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels when strong winds carried a spark from an incinerator onto a bomb and caused it to explode.

"The group was about to take the bomb to the incinerator when sparks carried by the wind landed on the fuse," deputy chief of Cinta Meunasah task force Sr. Supt. Suyitno said.

One of the policemen, Pvt. Tholip, was rushed to Medan in North Sumatra for severe wounds. Those suffering minor injuries were identified as First Adj. Insp. A. Darma Sinaga, 25, Pvt. Karni, 22, Pvt. Yopi Suska, 25, and Pvt. M. Azis, 26. (50/edt)