Indonesian navy kills three tanker hijackers in Malacca Strait

Three suspected separatist rebels were killed in a firefight with the Indonesian navy after they commandeered an oil tanker in the Malacca Straits, an official told The Associated Press on Sunday. Two other hijackers were believed dead after falling into the sea, The Jakarta Post reported in its online edition.

Six hijackers took control of the empty M.V. Pematang tanker on Friday as it headed to Berhala island for repairs, navy spokesman Rear Adm. Purbojo said.

Purbojo, who goes by one name, described the hijackers as separatist rebels from the Indonesian province of Aceh who demanded Rp500 million (US$53,800) for the release of the ship's crew.

The Indonesian warship KRI K.S. Tubun"When we arrived we gave the rebels a warning to surrender," Purbojo said. "The rebels ignored it and they fired shots, so we had to shoot back."

Three of the hijackers were killed in the ensuing gunfight, and two were believed dead after being wounded and falling into the sea, he said. One was captured and was being interrogated, Purbojo said.

The ship's 36-member crew was unharmed, he said.

The incident occurred in the Malacca Strait near the maritime border with Malaysia off Aceh's coastline. Aceh is on the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island.

Sumatra's coastline is notorious for pirates who prey on passing ships in the Malacca Strait. (*)