Armed Forces chief: Death toll of terrorists now at 63
LAHAD DATU: Another soldier was injured and one suspected terrorist killed during a shootout in Kampung Tanjung Batu on Wednesday.
A woman in her 40s was also detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Malaysian Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said Thursday.
“The soldier had bullet flakes in his left wrist and the pieces have been extracted after surgery. He is recovering in the hospital,” Zulkifeli said.
He said two bodies, including that of the suspected terrorist who was killed during the operation, have been removed from the village.
“This brings the number of terrorists killed to 63, total bodies taken out of the operation areas to 30, while 108 have been detained under Sosma and 268 under other Acts,” he said during the Ops Daulat morning briefing at the media centre in Felda Sahabat 16.
Meanwhile, Zulkifeli said a meeting would be held with security forces, the security council and other relevant bodies on the best time to let villagers return to Kampung Tanduo.
“We still have to consider the safety aspects and maybe have a final sweep through to ensure there are no threats left before we let them in,” he said, adding that security forces will be stationed in the village to live with villagers after they have been allowed to return.
When asked about a claim published in a Philippine news portal about a group allegedly sent to kill self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Manila, Zulkifeli said it was sheer nonsense.
“We are a peace-loving country so I will say the claim is nonsense,” he said.
Zulkifeli said security was tight and all safety measures to prevent more intruders from coming here have been taken.
He also said any contingents from the Philippines which planned to visit the detainees must go through the necessary procedures.
