Banda Aceh – Indonesian soldiers have shot dead five separatist rebels in Aceh while six others have surrendered to the authorities, the military said on Sunday.

The five Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members were killed on Friday in separate clashes in South Aceh, Bireuen and North Aceh districts, provincial military spokesman Lt. Col. Asep Sapari said.

Troops in South Aceh district also captured a rebel believed to be the local GAM district police chief, Sapari said.

Six rebels surrendered to a military outpost in South Aceh district on Friday, he said. GAM officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

The military says it has killed more than 1,300 rebels since a major offensive was launched last May to wipe out GAM. About 2,000 guerrillas and their sympathizers have been arrested or have surrendered, it says.

GAM has been fighting since 1976 for independence for the province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.