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