Security personnel conduct intensive sweeps in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Police and military conducted thorough checks on Monday in several districts in Pidie and North Aceh following a series of attacks over the Idul Fitri weekend in which 10 policemen were injured.

Sweeping operations were carried out in Peukan Baro, Bandar Baru and Meurudu area, districts said to be used as bases for Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists.

Security personnel intensively checked the vehicles and identity documents of residents in the area, and seized several motorbikes with incomplete vehicle licenses.

Five people were held for questioning during the operation, said Pidie Police chief Lt. Col. Endang Emiqail Bagus.

The most serious incident occurred on Sunday night at Lhoksukon Police subprecinct in North Aceh. Six policemen were injured when armed rebels sprayed bullets and threw grenades at the police post at about 7 p.m.

Aceh Police spokesman Lt. Col. Sayed Husaini identified the six wounded as Sgt Maj. Ibrahim bin Ismail, 45; Sgt Maj. Alimuddin, 40; Sgt Maj. Asrul Sani, 45; Sgt. Wahyudin, 35; Sgt. Sutrisno, 25, and Sgt. Hilman, 23.

A young boy named Joni, who was employed as an office boy at the subprecinct, was also wounded in the attack.

"All of the victims have been evacuated and treated at the Lilawangsa Military hospital in North Aceh," he said.

Witnesses reported a grenade exploded in the subprecinct's yard and the rebels were also believed to be using rifles.

A few hours later at about 8 p.m. another attack occurred at the police subprecinct and military office in Peukan Baro, Pidie regency.

"An armed gang attacked the posts at close range. They were in a Kijang van and some were riding motorbikes. The group fled the scene right after they sprayed bullets," Sayed said.

No fatalities or injuries were reported in this particular attack. Most of the damage was limited to a car and two motorbikes parked outside the subprecinct.

Earlier on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m. armed rebels raided the Tanah Luas Police subprecinct in North Aceh.

Police and rebels engaged in an intense exchange of fire for about 10 minutes.

Four policemen -- Sgt. Nurwahyu, Sgt. Nur Arifin, Sgt. Tri Yanto and Sgt. Kusnanto -- escaped with minor gunshot wounds. All four were from the Police Mobile Brigade unit.

"The armed rebels fled the scene right after the attack, and we have no details if there were any casualties on their side," Sayed remarked.

According to police data, violence in Aceh claimed 293 lives, 202 of them civilian, in 1999.

A total of 419 buildings, including schools, and 63 vehicles were either burned down or severely damaged throughout the year. Almost all the destruction was caused by attacks or clashes with the separatist movement. (51/edt)