KOTA BAHARU: More than 3,000 people were at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, here this morning to receive the bodies of the two national heroes who died in the operation to hunt for the group of armed intruders in Lahad Datu, Sabah on Tuesday.
The remains of Corporal Ahmad Hurairah Ismail and Corporal Ahmad Farhan Ruslan arrived in a Charlie C-130 aircraft at the airport at 9.55am.
Also present were Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, Army Chief General Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin and Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman.
Ahmad Hurairah was killed in a clash with the terrorists in Sungai Nyamuk, Kampung Tanjung Batu, Lahad Datu while Ahmad Farhan died in a road accident at Km 37 Lahad Datu-Tungku while sending food for security personnel in the operation.
Shortly after the aircraft landed, the remains of both soldiers were taken to the hangar where they were accorded military honours before the bodies were taken to their respective home towns for burial.
Ahmad Hurairah’s remains were taken to his parents’ house in Kampung Bayu Lalang, Pasir Mas before burial at the Kampung Lalang Muslim Cemetery nearby.
The remains of Ahmad Farhan were taken to his parents’ home in Perumahan Desa Darulnaim II, Pasir Tumboh, here for burial at the Pasir Tumbuh Muslim Cemetery. – Bernama