Troops kill four Aceh separatists

Troops kill four Aceh separatists

JAKARTA: Indonesian soldiers have killed four suspected separatist rebels in the strife-torn province of Aceh, the Antara news agency said Tuesday.

The four alleged Free Aceh Movement (GAM) guerrillas were shot dead in a raid on a hideout in the Bengga village in Pidie district on Monday, Aceh military spokesman Maj. Zainal Muttaqin was quoted as saying.

Muttaqin said the troops seized an AK-47 rifle, a Colt pistol, a hand grenade and ammunition.

Resource-rich Aceh has seen daily violence between GAM separatists and security forces.

Separatism has been fueled by years of human rights abuses by the military and the central government's draining of the region's oil and gas wealth.

Rights groups also accuse rebels of abuses.