Three rebels killed in Aceh

Three rebels killed in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Three Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels were killed in a fierce clash with the military in Krueng Meuriam village, some 160 kilometers southeast of Banda Aceh, on Thursday, a Military officer said.

Lt. Col. Supartodi, local Military spokesman, said that the incident took place when hundreds of military personnel were removing a roadblock set up by the rebels. The rebels have blocked roads with trees over the past couple of days.

The clash occurred when the military came face to face with a pickup with six rebels in it on the other side of the roadblock.

"Three rebels managed to flee while three others were killed," Supartodi said.

GAM has been waging guerrilla war since the mid-1970 in an attempt to forge an independent Islamic state.--JP