The bloody encounter took place when joint military and police units conducting mopping up operations near Sungai Nyamuk outside Tanduo area towards Kg Tanjung Batu spotted five gunmen at about 7.45am.
The gun battle erupted, and the five terrorists retreated. Security forces tracked them down to a swampy area near Felda oil palm plantation, and a second gunfight flare up at 10.45am.
The 24-year-old deceased soldier, Huraiah Ismail from Pasir Mas in Kelantan is the first armed forces personnel killed in Ops Daulat. He was to be engaged to his girlfriend from Kuala Krai last month, but the ceremony was put off as he left to serve the country in Ops Daulat in Sabah. Another soldier, aged 35, also from Kelantan was injured in the gun battle. He was hit in the cheek and is in stable condition.
So far, 9 Malaysian security forces were killed in the Lahad Datu conflict.
Source: The Star
MORE ON LAHAD DATU:
1 Sulu Gunman Shot, 97 Detained
Sulu Top Commander Among Those Killed
