Banda Aceh – Separatist rebels in Indonesia's restive province of Aceh claimed yesterday to have killed 31 soldiers over the weekend, but this was denied by the military.

Ishak Daud, a spokesman in East Aceh for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), said 13 soldiers were among those killed. But provincial spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Firdaus denied this. He said that in an East Aceh incident, one rebel was shot dead but no soldiers were killed or injured.

A GAM spokesman for South Aceh, Ayah Manggeng, said three soldiers were shot dead on Sunday. Lt-Col Firdaus denied any ambush there. The GAM commander for the West Aceh, Abu Arafah, said 15 soldiers had been shot dead in two clashes. Lt-Col Firdaus said no soldiers were killed but five rebels died.