Indonesia seeks release of four hostages

Jakarta, May 2 (IANS) The Indonesian military is engaged in negotiations and intelligence operations to seek the release of four citizens held hostage by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf terror group, sources said on Monday.

The four Indonesians, whose current location is unknown, were crew members on the TB Henry tugboat and Christi barge when they were kidnapped by militants linked on April 15 in the waters between Malaysia and the Philippines, EFE news reported.

Army chief Gatot Nurmantyo said the military "will conduct some operations with the coordination of the foreign affairs ministry", which include informal negotiations and intelligence gathering.

However, there were no reports of any ransom demands.

Ten other hostages abducted by Abu Sayyaf were released and returned to Jakarta on Sunday. They were kidnapped in March.

On Friday, the government paid a million dollars to secure their release.

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