Five separatist rebels killed in Aceh skirmish

Five separatist rebels killed in Aceh skirmish

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh

Separatist violence continued in Aceh province on Sunday with at
least five rebels killed in a gunfight with Indonesian Military
(TNI) troops in Aceh Besar regency.

The five dead belonged to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and
included Teungku Abang, who commands a local unit of the rebel
group, local TNI spokesman, Maj. Ertoto, was quoted by Antara as
telling journalists on Sunday.

The other four dead have not yet been identified, he said.

Ertoto said the clash took place in Tumpuk Lampo village in
Kuta Baro subdistrict, Aceh Besar, at 6:15 a.m. when about 40 TNI
soldiers ambushed a house where several members of GAM Ertoto,
also called the Separatist Aceh Movement (GAS), were believed to
be hiding.

"The TNI troops attacked the location after receiving accurate
information from local people that several GAS members armed with
guns were living there," he said.

"After seeing the soldiers, a number of the GAS members
attempted to resist them, so a gunfight broke out," he said.

Ertoto said no soldiers were killed in the clash, and added
that the soldiers arrested one of the GAM members.

The troops also confiscated as evidence an FNC-45 pistol and a
revolver, along with 50 rounds of ammunition, he said.

"All five of the bodies have been handed over to their
families or to local people for burial," Ertoto said. "We call on
all GAS members to surrender. Otherwise, TNI and police personnel
will continue to hunt for them."

On Friday, at least other two rebels and one soldier were shot
dead in separate incidents in Alue Jangat village, East Aceh
regency, TNI spokesman Maj. Zaenal Mutaqin said in the town of
Lhokseumawe.

Also on Friday, the body of an unidentified man who appeared
to have died of gunshot wounds was found by members of the
Indonesian Red Cross under a bridge in Aceh Besar.

Two rebel spokesmen, Jamaika and Abu Razak, denied GAM had
anything to do with the killing. The spokesmen said that on
Friday, the rebel group only attacked a military post in the
Batuphat area, near a gas refinery belonging to PT Arun in
Lhokseumawe, and a police post in the Luengputu market in Pidie
regency.

Jamaika claimed at least three soldiers were killed in the
attacks.

Mutaqin confirmed the attacks, but denied any casualties on
the part of the TNI.