News of the latest Malaysian casualty at the ongoing Ops Daulat operation in Lahad Datu spread like wildfire on social media.

Twitter users poured their condolence wishes using their accounts minutes after Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin announced that a Malaysian soldier was killed in a gunfight in Kampung Tanjung Batu today morning.





Zulkifeli said three Sulu gunmen were also killed in the 10.45am incident.

Nine security forces personnel and 57 terrorists have been killed since March 1 when the terrorists killed two policemen in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, after having holed up there since Feb 12.

On March 2, the terrorists ambushed and killed six policemen in Kampung Simunul, Semporna, and the government launched the offensive three days later.

Zulkifeli said Kampung Tanduo was now completely free of the threat of the terrorists and security forces had extended their operation to Sungai Nyamuk near Kampung Tanjung Batu.