Three killed in Aceh violence

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Military troops shot three alleged gunmen to death in the latest violence in Aceh on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.

North Aceh Police chief Supt. Syafei Aksal said that Saiman Ibrahim, 25, Abdul Hadi, 22, and Muhammad Salam, 23, were killed in an exchange of fire which followed an attempt to ambush a military patrol in Pulo Pisang Klat village in Tanah Pasir district, about 35 kilometers north of North Aceh's main town of Lhokseumawe.

Syafei said the soldiers seized rifles, grenades, a walkie- talkie and a pack of military uniforms from the attackers.

But Saiman's mother, Nek Habibah, 60, said her son was shot when he ran in fright from the military troops who were passing near him. She said the soldiers later killed Salam and Hadi who witnessed the shooting.

"I was told that my son was rushed to the hospital but he was already dead," Habibah said. (50/edt)