TNI members killed in Aceh ambush

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)