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.