Banda Aceh – Government troops mounting an offensive against Aceh separatist rebels have killed six more guerrillas, the military said Friday.

Soldiers shot dead the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members in separate clashes in four districts on Thursday, said Lieutenant Colonel Asep Sapari, a military spokesman in the province on Sumatra island. Troops seized a handgun, a Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition.

He said rebels shot three civilians in South Aceh, also on Thursday. Residents in East Aceh found a male corpse bearing gunshot wounds on Wednesday, the spokesman said.

More than 1,300 guerrillas have been killed since the army launched its operation to crush GAM last May, according to the military. It says more than 2,000 others have been arrested or have surrendered. GAM has been fighting for an independent state since 1976.