Thursday March 7, 2013

Lahad Datu: Ministers show pix of slain intruders

LAHAD DATU: Photographs of nine slain intruders killed by Malaysian security forces during a shootout with Sulu gunmen were shown to the media by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The seven photographs showed bodies of several men lying next to each other in a makeshift mass grave in Kampung Tanduo after security forces launched an attack on Tuesday. Other photographs also showed a cache of weapons seized from them.

The bodies, which were believed to have been buried by other intruders, were found during a mopping-up operation on the gunmen who have been holed up in the village since Feb 9.

“These (the photographs) are proof that what we have been saying is not made up (by certain quarters). We are in the process of collecting more bodies,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told a press conference at Felda Sahabat Residence yesterday.

Hishammuddin said that no Malaysian personnel were injured in the operation.

<b>Mass grave:</b> A picture of the dead bodies recovered from a mass grave dug by the intruders.

Mass grave: A picture of the dead bodies recovered from a mass grave dug by the intruders.

However, he said a police forensics officer sent to gather evidence after the operation was shot at by gunmen at about 1.45pm yesterday. He was unharmed.

“We must be careful and make sure that the areas are really safe before going in. That is why we take a bit of time to gather information and evidence,” he added.

Hishammuddin said the authorities would keep the public updated on the operations and release more photographs deemed non-sensitive as evidence.

Meanwhile, a special branch officer who was injured during a shootout in Semporna on Saturday arrived in Kuala Lumpur to receive medical treatment.

Police sources said Insp Mohd Hasnal Jamil, 31, who survived the Saturday shootout against the Sulu armed invaders, arrived at the KL International Airport here at 6.25pm on a commercial flight.

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Thursday March 7, 2013

Lahad Datu: Ministers show pix of slain intruders