BANDA ACEH, Jan 18: The Indonesian military said on Sunday that 13 suspected separatist rebels were killed while guerillas were blamed for the deaths of two fishermen in the latest violence to hit restive Aceh province.

Troops shot dead four suspected Free Aceh Movement (GAM) guerillas off Banyak island in South Aceh district on Saturday, Aceh military spokesman Lt Col Asep Sapari said.

He said troops on speed boat went after a boat in which informants said rebels were keeping three fishermen hostage. Two fishermen were executed by the guerillas while another managed to flee by jumping into the sea, Sapari said.

A patrol of the paramilitary Brimob police unit clashed with rebels in Seukeumbrok, Pidie district, on Saturday, killing five rebels, Sapari added.-AFP