NST reported that at 8 p.m., the IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar said shooting incidents between the security forces and terrorist groups were reported in three locations in the village of Tanjung Batu, Lahad Datu this afternoon as the security forces continued their sweeping and mopping operations.
The IGP warned that the Sulu gunmen who escaped the army bombardment on Tuesday are now masquerading as local residents to get away from the police.
At 4.35 p.m., Defence minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi showed photographs of bodies of 7 terrorists killed in yesterday’s OPS Daulat in Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu.
Very early this morning, a Sulu intruder was killed during after he opened fire at security forces forcing the ground team to retaliate.
And in the early afternoon,four suspected terrorists were arrested by the security forces at Kampung Airport near Kem Sri Wangsa, Semporna.
NST also reported that two men were detained by the security forces as they walked out of a plantation near the entrance to Kampung Tanjung Labian.
Some reporters saw the Navy stopped a small boat that came close to shore not far from the Felda Residence in Lahad Datu.
There were several sightings reported of terrorists trying to escape the plantations in Lahad Datu.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said that the Malaysian security forces are in full control of areas in the east coast of Sabah .
This morning the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak made a statement that the Malaysian Security Forces have launched an attack Sulu intruders in Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah at 7 a.m. today.
NST reported that at about 8.25 a.m. villagers fled the area as several explosions were heard while fighter jets and helicopters are also seen.
After the air operations, the ground troops went into the area.
NST also reported that six vessels, two each from the Navy, marine police and Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency were earlier seen leaving the marine police jetty.
In a press statement, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the attack on the intruders is a success and no casualties were reported on the Malaysian side during the operation.
The Sulu intruders started a stand-off in Lahad Datu, Sabah since February 12, 2013 and do not want to leave our country despite the Malaysian police have arranged for meetings and discussions hoping that the intruders would agree to leave peacefully without facing serious action.
Last Friday, they fired shots at policemen on duty killing two police officers and on Saturday they killed another six policemen in Semporna.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Malaysia is not at war with the Philippines government as the intruders are not recognised by the Philippine government.
He further said that if they are detained, they will face criminal charges including for murder.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein confirmed that none of the Malaysian security forces were injured in this morning’s operation.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi confirms security forces utilised 3 F/A-18D fighter bombers and 5 Hawk 208 fighter jets in this morning’s operation during a joint press conference with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein today.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah said that Sarawak police are sending reinforcement of 500 policemen from its 10th Battalion in Sibu, 11th Battalion in Kuching and 12th Battalion in Miri, to Sabah today.
At a 4 p.m. press briefing, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said that the operation is ongoing and that he believed that the remaining Sulu soldiers were still in and around the operation area, adding that it was unknown whether some managed to escape to other nearby villages such as Tanjung Batu.
I love my country and I think so do most people in Sabah and that they do not want those intruders to disturb their lives and causing lots of troubles to everybody.
I pray that there will be no more casualties on the Malaysian security forces and this operation will be a success.
When I supported the opposition parties in Pakatan Rakyat (PR), I thought that the Malaysian police was bad and brutal because PR leaders always say so.
Now I am proud of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and I think that they are our heroes.
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