Kopassus member killed in Aceh

Kopassus member killed in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The continuing violence in Aceh has claimed
the life of a soldier, who was shot dead by rebels in West Aceh
on Wednesday.

The local military spokesman, Maj. Zaenal Muttaqin, said First
Sgt. I Made Sukarna of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) was
killed while looking into a communications blackout in Padang
Klieng village, which was caused by a cut telephone line. Sukarna
went to the village on foot, along with Pvt. Khairuddin.

Muttaqin said a dozen rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
ambushed the two soldiers in the Kede Teunom market. Sukarna died
immediately with gunshot wounds to the head. Khairuddin survived
the ambush unharmed.

The soldiers did not return fire on the rebels for fear of
hitting civilians in the market, Muttaqin said.

Sukarna's body was to be flown to Jakarta later on Wednesday.
-- Antara