Day 8 of Ops Daulat

The eight day of Ops Daulat took a tragic turn when it observes the death of more security forces personnel. Here are the developments of the day:

- Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said a Malaysian soldier was killed in a gunfight in Kampung Tanjung Batu today morning.

- He said the terrorists ambushed the security forces personnel at 7.45 am and fled, with the soldiers giving chase, and the clash took place soon after. Zulkifeli said three Sulu gunmen were also killed in the 10.45am incident.

- Sabah Polis Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib on the other hand said another Malaysian soldier died today after meeting with an accident in Lahad Datu.

- He said the accident happened when the lorry that was being driven by the soldier, lost control and skidded while he was on his way to the Cenderawasih town.

- Hamza also confirmed that only two Sulu gunmen were shot dead in a gun battle today morning in which a soldier was killed. Another Sulu intruder managed to escape after being shot at.

- Hamza said Ops Daulat has now shifted its focus to Kg Tanjung Batu and Kg Sungai Bilis, as the safety situation Lahad Datu town and Semporna continues to improve.

- He said that daily activities at the latter two locations have begun to resume normally.

- Also, the brother of the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III, Esmail Kiram II is seeking several clarifications from the Malaysian government as our forces continue to hunt down the terrorists in Lahad Datu.

- The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government of the Phillipines, Manuel Roxas II said that the Department of the Foreign Affairs will relay the questions to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.