Banda Aceh – The Indonesian Military has captured Muhammad Aris, 72, the governor of the Aceh Free Movement (GAM) for Pidie region, in a raid in Pidie district, the military said on Sunday.

A spokesman for the Security Restoration Operation Task Force, Lt. Col. Asep Sapari said the GAM governor was arrested on Saturday in Bandar Baru forest, some 150 kilometers to the east of Banda Aceh.

Asep said an exchange of fire between GAM and the Indonesian Military broke out when 13 soldiers led by Second Lt. Laksono spotted a group of people carrying firearms on their shoulders and an old man in the forest.

The soldiers opened fire after identifying them as GAM members. The separatist group managed to escape, but left the old man behind, who was latter identified as Muhammad Aris, one of GAM's governors.

The soldiers seized 18 bullets, a battery charger for a cellular phone, and some other equipment from the GAM governor, who was detained for further questioning.

Earlier last week, a deputy governor of GAM for Aceh Jaya, Sarbini, surrendered to the infantry battalion in Suak Beukah village in Sampoiniet subdistrict, some 120 kilometers west of Banda Aceh.