Indonesian troops and separatist rebels in Aceh have fought their fiercest battle since the armed forces launched a campaign last month to crush the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Seven soldiers have been shot dead and seven wounded — the military’s worst casualty toll since the operation was launched on May 19 and martial law was declared in the province on Sumatra island. “This is the heaviest battle between troops of the Indonesian armed forces and GAM since martial law was imposed in Aceh,” military operations spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Yani Basuki said Tuesday. The clash began late Monday at Matang Kumbang in Bireuen district and lasted until early Tuesday, with 40 marines and 22 infantrymen battling an estimated 60 rebels. Full Story