Jakarta – Indonesian security forces killed 11 suspected rebels during gunbattles in the country's restive Aceh province, a military spokesman said Thursday.

All 11 suspected members of the Free Aceh Movement were killed in overnight fighting in the district of eastern Aceh, said Lt. Col. Asep Sapari. Troops said a local rebel leader identified as Ishak Daud was among the dead, Sapari said.

The deaths brought to at least 16 the number of suspected rebels killed in the past three days in Aceh, a province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

A rebel spokesman couldn't be reached for comment. It was impossible to verify the military's claim since reporters are barred from visiting many rebel-held areas in Aceh.

Guerrillas have been fighting since 1976 for an independent homeland in the oil- and gas-rich province. At least 13,000 people have died, including 2,200 killed since Jakarta launched a new offensive in May 2003.

Both sides have been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including kidnapping, rape and murder. Indonesia has also been accused of locking up rebel sympathizers without charges and torturing them into confessing crimes.