Leading Aceh rebel surrenders to military
Tengku Agam Muzakir and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe/Medan
A top Free Aceh Movement (GAM) figure has surrendered to the military authorities in West Aceh regency, the Indonesian Military (TNI) announced on Thursday.
Military operation in Aceh spokesman Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said Ibrahim Syafii, who claimed to be the GAM governor in Meulaboh, surrendered to West Aceh Military Command troops at around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
Yani identified Ibrahim as one of the most-wanted loyalists of Hasan Tiro, the head of GAM living in exile in Sweden.
"Before his submission, he (Ibrahim) met with local community leaders in Blang Balee village to express his intention to rejoin the Unitary State of Indonesia. The community figures then brought him to the TNI," Yani told Antara.
No weapons or GAM symbols were confiscated from Ibrahim, who is now in military custody for questioning over his involvement in the separatist rebel group.
TNI is intensifying the hunt for top GAM leaders during the second period of martial law, which was extended for another six months on Nov. 19.
The TNI claims that some 2,000 rebels have been captured or have surrendered during the military offensive.
There is no way to confirm the TNI figures due to internationally criticized controls on the media and aid agencies.
Yani also said that five other GAM members were captured, three had surrendered and three were killed in separate operations throughout Wednesday.
Separately, the martial law administration in Aceh said a team had been sent to Aceh Singkil regency to investigate the cause of an accident involving an armored car. A cameraman from Indosiar television station was killed and five military personnel and another journalist wounded in the incident.
The body of Arie Waylan Orah, 44, was taken to his home in Pamulang in Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday. He was expected to be buried Friday.
Arie, 44, was killed when the armored car overturned after its brakes apparently failed near Sulambe Baru village in Aceh Singkil regency.
His colleague, Siska Gurning, was hospitalized with serious head injuries. They were accompanying the deputy assistant to Army chief for logistics.
All the survivors are being treated at Kodam I Bukit Barisan military hospital in Medan.
Siska remained unable to communicate as of Thursday.
One of the military personnel wounded in the accident, Pvt. Supriadi, told The Jakarta Post the armored vehicle rammed into a rock and rolled over a hill after its brakes failed.