Rebels gun down two officers

LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh : A policeman and an army officer were shot dead by members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in two incidents, an officer said on Friday.

Spokesman of the North Aceh Police Comr. Abdi Darmawan identified the fatalities as Chief Brig. Maijoni and Sgt. Maj. Rohmadi, Antara reported.

Maijoni, who is survived by his two children, was shot when he was about to go home after finishing his duty. His motorcycle was brushed against by two men also riding on a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, Rohmadi was shot dead by rebels on the main Banda Aceh-Medan road in the Tambon Baroh area.

"Rohamdi was on the way to his office and a man on a passing motorcycle aimed a shot at him. He collapsed and died en route to the hospital," Abdi said. (emf)