Two soldiers killed in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor: Falintil separatist rebels ambushed and killed two soldiers out on patrol near Terema village in Bobonaro regency, 80 kilometers west of Dili, on Friday morning.

East Timor Military Commander Col. Tono Suratman identified the dead soldiers as Second Sgt. Mus and Second Private Suharsono.

"I do not have any details of incident yet," Tono said on Friday evening.

The provincial police chief, Col. Timbul Silaen, said the killing was a crime and vowed to track down and punish the guilty parties.

"We will question those who witnessed the incident," Silaen said. Mus was buried at Maliana Heroes Cemetery and Suharsono was buried at Seroja Heroes Cemetery. Both funerals took place on Saturday.

The authorities say that separatist fighters have killed nine soldiers over the last two months. (33)