GERIK: A soldier was found drowned, and another remains missing after being swept away by strong currents while crossing Sungai Merah here.
The incident occurred last Friday around 6pm while both victims were conducting operations at Kota Echo/Foxtrot in the Royal Belum Forest area.
The drowned victim has been identified as Lance Corporal Mohd Afandi Jahwin, while the missing soldier is Lance Corporal Ahmad Zulhilmi Ahmad Tamizi, both in their 20s.
Gerik District Police Chief, Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood, said the report of the incident was received on Monday at 8.56am.
He stated that the police were informed the incident happened while the victims, along with seven other soldiers, attempted to cross the river.
"Both victims failed to cross the river and were swept away by the strong currents.
"A coordinated search and rescue operation has been conducted between the police and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM)," he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 2).
He added that the operation successfully recovered one of the soldiers.
"The victim died from drowning; efforts to find the other missing soldier are ongoing," he said.
