Banda Aceh – The Indonesian military on Friday accused separatist rebels in Aceh province of kidnapping eight civilians, including three village chiefs.

Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members seized the three chiefs at Pante Bidari in East Aceh on Thursday, said provincial military spokesman Ahmad Yani Basuki.

Guerrillas also abducted three workers at Bakongan in South Aceh on Thursday, Basuki said. On Wednesday two lighthouse workers were abducted on Bunda Sabang island, the spokesman said.

Basuki said troops killed five rebels in separate clashes in four districts on Thursday and seized a Kalashnikov rifle, a home-made grenade launcher and dozens of rounds of ammunition.

The body of a suspected rebel was found at Kuala Batee in Southwest Aceh on Thursday. GAM could not be reached for comment.