Soldiers find bombs in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Government troops found three homemade bombs allegedly belonging to the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) during a raid in Idi Rayeuk district, East Aceh regency, on Sunday, a military spokesman said.

A member of the Indonesian Military (TNI)'s information task force in Aceh, Lt. Col. Asep Sapari, said on Monday it was believed the bombs were going to be used to create unrest ahead of the April 5 elections.

The soldiers found the bombs after receiving a tip from local residents, he said.

He said soldiers in North Aceh district also captured a rebel identified as Djafar, 20, in Group Lima village, Kuta Makmur district.

Djafar was arrested when soldiers cordoned off the village and conducted a door-to-door search, he said.

The suspected rebel is being detained at the command post of Raider Infantry Battalion 200 in the district for questioning, he said.

Also, troops from the Nenggala and Jaguar task forces exchanged gunfire with rebels in Matang Nibong subdistrict in East Aceh.

In the battle, soldiers detained Syamsul, alias Tune Up, 27, a resident of Seuneubok Pidie village.

"During the gunfight, troops seized an AK-56, a grenade launcher and 62 rounds of ammunition. The suspected rebel captured in the clash is being detained at a TNI command post," he said.

Also in East Aceh, soldiers detained Idwar Abdullah, 22, a suspected GAM member, he said. -- Antara