TNI frees two hostages in Aceh

TNI frees two hostages in Aceh

BANDA ACEH: The Indonesian military said Monday it freed two people seized by separatist rebels in Aceh province while both sides continued to argue over releasing dozens of other rebel captives.

The hostage release came as two more alleged rebels and a civilian died in separate incidents of violence.

Acting on information from citizens, cavalry troops freed the two captives at about 8:00 p.m. Sunday in Peureulak, East Aceh, several hours after Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels had taken them, Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said.

The hostages were among a group of five people in a van captured by the rebels, he said. The whereabouts of the other three passengers are unknown, Yani Basuki said.

"When the government is making a serious effort to free hostages they (GAM) continue the abductions. In fact, over the past three days alone they have taken eight other civilians hostage," Basuki said.

GAM denied any fresh kidnappings.

"All along the road there are a lot of TNI and Brimob posts. How could it be possible for GAM to take passengers of that van hostage?" GAM's Peureulak operational commander, Ishak Daud, said to AFP in Jakarta.

He was referring to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and Brimob paramilitary police.

The rebels have said they would release about 80 captives they are holding in East Aceh if the military grants a two-day ceasefire, but that any release must be arranged with Red Cross representatives rather than military or government negotiators.