TNI claims it shot rebel leaders

BANDA ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: The Indonesian Military (TNI) claimed on Friday to have shot three leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group, including its army commander Muzakir Manaf.

Aceh security restoration operation commander Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya said Muzakir, Darwis Jeunib -- the GAM commander overseeing Jeunib area in South Aceh -- and Teungku Abrar Muda -- the spokesman for GAM in South Aceh -- were wounded during separate gunfights with the military in the last few days.

"We are still hunting them down. This information is accurate and we have reported to headquarters (in Jakarta)," Endang said.

A GAM spokesman, Tengku Jamaika, denied the report, saying the three "are all healthy and safe in our command center", -- JP