Banda Aceh – Military troops rescued two boatmen held by Aceh separatist rebels on Friday, a military spokesman revealed on Saturday.

"The two hostages are from neighboring North Sumatra province and have been identified as Subur Mardi, 42, and Zainal Abidin, 53," military operation command spokesman Lt. Col. Asep Sapari said in Lhokseumawe.

"The two men were held hostage for over two weeks on Langsa waters in East Aceh regency. The captors had demanded a ransom from the boat owner," he added.

Asep added that the troops found them on Friday while patrolling the waters by motorboat. The abductors fled when the troops approached.

"Following the liberation of the two boatmen, security forces will step up efforts to save other people held by Aceh rebels, including RCTI cameraman Fery Santoro," he said.