Indonesian Military (TNI) said on Saturday they have shot dead three separatists in Aceh province as renewed violence marred the province's fragile peace accord. The three Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels were fatally shot during a skirmish in the Alue Raya area of South Aceh late on Friday, said military spokesman Major Eddi Fernandi. The encounter took place while soldiers were carrying out "security operation" in the area. Troops found a hand gun at the scene, AFP reported. The December 9 peace pact between GAM and Indonesia is facing a breakdown after Jakarta pulled out of this weekend's Joint Council meeting in Geneva. The council groups government and rebel leaders and foreign mediators from the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre. The meeting is seen as the last hope of saving the agreement to end the 26-year war.
| Yep. It's all over but the shootin'... |
Top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Jakarta's decision followed a move by GAM to postpone the meeting by two days. |