Nine more killed in restive Aceh

Nine more killed in restive Aceh

BANDA ACEH: Despite the recent agreement between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), nine more people, including three rebels, were killed in separate gunfights in the conflict-ridden province over the weekend.

Lt. Col. Supartodi, chief of the Pidie Military District, said here on Monday that three rebels were killed in separate gunfights between soldiers and rebels in Pidie, North Aceh on Saturday and Monday.

The local office of the Indonesian Red Cross confirmed on Monday that it evacuated six bodies on Friday and Saturday which were believed to be victims of the prolonged conflict between the Free Aceh Movement and security authorities.

A rebel, locally known as Captain Nu, was killed in a gunfight with a group of soldiers in Mila Subdistrict, Pidie, some 100 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, on Saturday and two other rebels were killed in a gunfight in Pidie at the same day.

Early last week, 17 people, including a soldier, were killed in separate gunfights between the local military and rebels in the province. -- JP