The top Lahad Datu developments on March 9

After a quiet fourth day of Ops Daulat, the fifth day started series of explosions in ground zero.

Below are some of the key highlights on March 9:

- Explosions were heard around 1am could be heard from ground zero after 24 hours of no attacks. Airplanes and helicopters were swooping low above the Felda Residence, Felda Sahabat 16.

- Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar and Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said a lone Sulu gunman was shot dead in Sabah, raising the “enemy” body count to 53.

- Ismail also said that the police have arrested 27 people who were trying to enter the Tanjung Batu operation zone using three boats, at 10am today.

- Ismail also said that the forensic team stationed in the war-torn East Sabah will only be able to conduct full investigations on the dead bodies in the area once the mopping up exercise is completed as it is unsafe for them to enter the area now.

- Self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III wants to hold ‘talks’ with Malaysia on how to resolve the crisis but he told Yahoo! Southeast Asia reported that the peace talks must not be held in Malaysia.

- The Malaysian government rejected the offer Kiram. Defence minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Sulu gunmen’s brutality is unaccepted.

- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will construct a sentry post in Lahad Datu to curb illegal intrusion and piracy in the waters near the land scheme.