Banda Aceh – Indonesian troops have shot dead four separatist guerrillas and captured another in Aceh province, the military said on Monday.

The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels were killed in several clashes in the districts of South Aceh, East Aceh and Pidie on Sunday, said provincial military spokesman Asep Sapari. Troops seized five automatic rifles and more than 100 rounds of ammunition from the rebels.

The military claims about 5,000 rebels have been killed, captured or have surrendered during a year-long operation to crush GAM, which has been fighting for independence since 1976.

Martial law was lifted on May 19 in the resource-rich province on Sumatra island and replaced by a state of civil emergency.