Jakarta – Indonesian troops shot and killed five alleged separatist rebels – all but one of them unarmed – in the country's westernmost province of Aceh, a military spokesman said Wednesday.

The men were gunned down in separate incidents Monday and Tuesday, said Lt. Col. Asep Sapari. Soldiers seized one handgun and ammunition from the men, he said. He gave no more details.

Rebels couldn't be reached for comment. Human rights groups accuse the military of operating death squads in the province, and claim many of the victims are unarmed civilians.

Guerrillas have been fighting since 1976 for an independent homeland in oil- and gas-rich Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra island. At least 13,000 people have died, including 2,000 killed since Jakarta launched a new offensive in May 2003.

The early days of the operation were marred by dozens of reports of soldiers killing innocent villagers. As a result, the military blocked reporters from traveling around the province, making it impossible to independently check army claims.