Mobil Oil attacked by grenades
Wednesday, April 26 2000 - 02:00 AM WIB
Several facilities of oil and gas firm PT Mobil Oil Indonesia in North Aceh were attacked by grenades and set on fire in the early hours of Tuesday, the local Serambi Indonesia daily reported.
The attack nearly exploded the cluster IV gas tank in Lhoksukon area. Other facilities attacked by grenades included security posts, and bachelor camp.
No injuries or death victims were reported.
Serambi also said that Mobil Oil continue to operate normally despite the attack.
Serambi quoted witnesses as saying that the attackers used masked and army-look uniforms.
North Aceh district police chief Lt. Col. Syafei Aksal confirmed the attack. He said that the attack was made by professionals and was well prepared.
He said that around 10 people made the attack.
There had also been previous attacks suffered by MOI but so far none caused serious explosion which lead to a halt in the company's operation or evacuation of its staffs.
Meanwhile, the armed-wing of the Aceh independent separatist movement (AGAM) in a press released said that it was not involved in the attack. The group said that there were people trying to link the attack with AGAM to cause damage to its public image. (*)