TNI members killed in Aceh ambush

BANDA ACEH (JP): Three Indonesian Military (TNI) members and an airport security guard were killed in a recent ambush by an unidentified armed group in the district of Muara Batu, North Aceh on Wednesday.

North Aceh Police chief Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal confirmed the violence saying he believed that the attack was done by members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Five other officers were injured in the strike.

The casualties were Second Sgt. Safrizal (Army), First Private Dalimin and First Private Nurgianto (Air Force elite troop Paskhas) and Syukri Murtala, the security guard of the Malikussaleh airport.

Those injured were First Private Heru Santoso, Second Private Bunawin, First Private Bayu Marsudi, First Private Junaidi and Chief Private Nanang.

The bodies of Safrizal, Nurgianto and Dalimin were flown to Jakarta on Thursday.

Aksal said that the TNI personnel were on a joint patrol when attacked, while another source said that they had just bought food from a rice stall when some 10 unidentified people opened fired on them at about 6:00 p.m.

"The attackers emerged from the bushes along the road. The pickup taking the TNI members to the village Pinto Weu, located some 22 kilometers away from Lhokseumawe, were then assaulted," Aksal said.

The shoot-out lasted 30 minutes, with Aksal speculating the attackers probably used Russian-made AK-47 semiautomatic rifles.

It was not known if some of the attackers were killed. "By the time help arrived the attackers had escaped," said Aksal.

Angered, they searched adjacent houses and buildings. Locals accused the TNI troops of burning shops and houses in the village, believing them to be the hideouts of the attackers. No fatalities were reported.

"The situation is scaring. Villagers closed their houses and businesses soon after they heard the shooting," a villager who wanted to remain anonymous said.

Meanwhile, in the village of Delima, Pidie district, a state junior high school building was set ablaze on Thursday. "We don't have any idea who burned the school building. But about one week ago the Indonesian military used the school for its temporary post," a local said. (50/sur)