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.