Troops catch more rebels

Troops catch more rebels

DILI, East Timor: The military has arrested six members of the East Timor separatist movement Fretilin in an ambush on a village in Bobonaro regency on Wednesday night, Antara reported yesterday.

The rebel unit was led by Inacio Metan alias Naroman, Col. Mahidin Simbolon, the chief of the East Timor military command, told the news agency.

They were unarmed at the time of the ambush in Saburai village, he added.

A day earlier, the military in Bobonaro also arrested 42-year old Gusmao Oliviera, one of Fretilin's top leaders, in Lahomea village, also in Bobonaro.

Inacio told investigators that he had joined the guerrilla rebels in 1993 after dropping out of Ermera state high school. The main task of his unit is to oversee Fretilin's logistic supply.

Mahidin said the six would soon be released without being charged because they had surrendered without a fight. (emb)