IGP: Shooting incidents reported at three locations

Shooting incidents between the security forces and the armed intruders were reported in three locations in the village of Tanjung Batu, Lahad Datu at 4.15pm, as security forces continue with their "mopping-out" operations, the country's top cop revealed.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar, in a press conference, said that none of the security forces were injured or captured by the enemies in the shooting incidents.

Ismail said that the security forces began their inspection at the settlement at 3pm to track down the enemies who are believed to have entered the village.

"We believe there were enemies who had been shot, but at the moment I cannot confirm the number of enemies who were shot," said he said.

Yesterday, the security forces launched an air strike using F18 and Hawk fighter jets in the first operation to end the incursion by Sulu terrorists since Feb 12.

Subsequently, house-to-house sweeping and mopping operations were carried out in an area measuring four square kilometres in the village to hunt down the terrorist group.

The operation area had been extended by two sq kilometres as the security forces detected that the terrorists were moving to certain spots.