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Two more found dead in Aceh

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Associated Press - June 28, 1999

Jakarta – Two school teachers were found dead in northwestern Indonesia after being led away by unidentified gunmen that police suspect are separatist rebels, a report said Monday.

The victims, Ubit Pakek, 58, and Tgk. Hasballah, 54, were teachers in separate primary schools in Pidie regency, the official Antara news agency said.

The report quoted Maj. Ahmad Isnanto of the local military as saying the bodies were found on an irrigation project early Monday, each with stab wounds in their necks.

Citing witnesses, Isnanto said both victims were taken from their houses Sunday night by a group of about 15 unidentified gunmen.

The killings were the latest in a series of attacks by unidentified gunmen. Security and government officials suspect the Free Aceh Movement, which is fighting against Indonesian rule in the province.

At least 10 people, including three soldiers, were killed last week, and more than 100 have been killed since May, when the group intensified its campaign ahead of the country's June 7 election.

In Jakarta on Monday, Aceh Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud expressed concern over the situation in the province, where a nearly decade-long military operation had traumatized the people before ending last year.

"They people are really afraid if soldiers ... come to their villages," Syamsuddin said after a meeting with President B.J. Habibie.

[On June 28, Reuters reported that Indonesian troops shot dead a suspected rebel. Officials said that the shooting occurred on Sunday when a group of patrolling soldiers encountered an unidentified motorcyclist who tried to ride away from them - James Balowski.]

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