Military rescues two GAM hostages

Military rescues two GAM hostages

INDONESIA: Military troops rescued two boatmen held by Aceh
separatist rebels on Friday, a military spokesman revealed on
Saturday.

"The two hostages are from neighboring North Sumatra province
and have been identified as Subur Mardi, 42, and Zainal Abidin,
53," military operation command spokesman Lt. Col. Asep Sapari
said in Lhokseumawe.

"The two men were held hostage for over two weeks on Langsa
waters in East Aceh regency. The captors had demanded a ransom
from the boat owner."

Asep added that the troops found them on Friday while
patrolling the waters by motorboat. The abductors fled when the
troops approached.

"Following the liberation of the two boatmen, security forces
will step up efforts to save other people held by Aceh rebels,
including RCTI cameraman Fery Santoro," he said. -- Antara