KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin greets members of the armed forces at Dewan Kencana at Felda Sahabat near Lahad Datu. — Bernama photo
Army unit tracking down intruders suffer first casualty, shoot dead 3 terrorists; clear Kpg Tanduo
LAHAD DATU: The army suffered their first casualty when a soldier was killed during an exchange of fire at Kampung Sungai Nyamuk, yesterday.
So far the casualties suffered by the security forces has been eight policemen.
On March 1 the terrorists killed two policemen in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, after having holed up there since Feb 12.
The next day the terrorists ambushed and killed six policemen in Kampung Simunul, Semporna, and the government launched the offensive three days later.
Armed Forces chief, General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the incident happened during the final stages of operation to track down the remnants of the armed group from Sulu.
He added that the encounter took place when the security forces unit bumped into armed
group at 7.45am and a firefight ensued.
After a brief skirmish the armed group retreated and the security forces pursued and tracked them down.
A second clash took place at 10.45am when the soldiers caught up with the terrorists in the village.
“During the firefight, three of the intruders were killed, and unfortunately one of our own security forces personnel was also killed,” Zulkifeli told a press conference at the Cenderawasih evacuation centre.
Zulkifeli said Kampung Tanduo was now completely free of the threat of the terrorists and security forces had extended their operation to Sungai Nyamuk near Kampung Tanjung Batu.
Meanwhile, the security forces discovered more bodies during the sweeping and mopping
up operations in Kampung Tanduo, some 150 kilometres from here.
During a media briefing here yesterday, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said 15 bodies were found in the operation area.
“Initially our forensic and crime investigation department team found nine bodies but I have instructed my men to go to the area this morning to confirm the figure as we believe there are more than nine bodies.
“These are the gunmen shot on March 1. Earlier, we confirmed that 12 were gunned down, but were later told there were 15 decomposed bodies,” he said.
Hamza also disclosed that the security forces retrieved another body of a gunman at Tanjung Batu yesterday afternoon.