INDONESIA TROOPS KILL 3 SUSPECTED REBELS

December 14, 2003 – (AP) Indonesian troops gun downed at least three suspected rebels, including the first female insurgent killed in the current
offensive, and captured eight others during clashes in the war-torn province of Aceh, a military spokesman said Sunday.

The military also accused members of the Free Aceh Movement of killing one civilian and injuring a second who was accused of being a government spy.

At least three rebels were killed Saturday night in the western Aceh village of Lamkuta Blang Pidi, Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said. The woman was not identified, but Basuki said she was part of an all-female rebel unit known as "Inong Balee."

Government troops also launched raids Saturday on rebel strongholds in eastern and western Aceh, capturing eight guerrillas, Basuki said.

A rebel spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Indonesia launched a military offensive in May aimed at eradicating separatist rebels from the oil- and gas-rich province on the northern tip
of Sumatra.

Since the crackdown began, the military claims it has killed more than 1,000 suspected rebels, while losing only 47 soldiers and 16 police officers.

The rebels say most of those killed have been civilians. Human rights groups have accused both sides of abuses including kidnapping, rape and
extrajudicial killings.

Reporters are prevented from traveling freely in the region, making independent verification of the death toll and alleged rights abuses difficult.

The rebels launched their independence bid in 1976 after Jakarta refused to give increased autonomy to the province. About 12,000 people have died in the conflict and repeated efforts to forge a peace deal have collapsed.

Received from Joyo Indonesia News

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TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign,
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Email: plovers@gn.apc.org
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Defending victims of oppression in Indonesia,
1973-2003