MH17: Sad to see MAS logo in pieces - VAT69 member

"We (Malaysians) are used to seeing the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) logo emblazoned on our aircraft as it flies in all pride and splendour.

"...but to see it scattered, broken in pieces, was very sad," noted Police Corporal S. Nadisan Thevar.

The member of the VAT69 commando unit was part of the special forces in the police team (PDRM) which was sent to eastern Ukraine, following the downing of MAS Flight MH17 aircraft in Donetsk near the Russian border on July 17.

The Boeing 777-200 plane, which was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, was believed to have been shot down.

Thevar, 31, said he felt despair and sadness, especially when Malaysians were among the victims of the ill-fated flight.

He was among five members of the team which arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) here at 3pm today.

They were greeted by VAT69 Commander of the Special Forces Team, Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Azizan Abdul Aziz.

Thevar said it was difficult for them to perform their duties there due to the presence of armed separatist groups which controlled the area.

"Sometimes, they allow us only one hour to be at the scene of tragedy. Sometimes, we find things like documents but they do not allow us to go near those things.

"So far, they are ok with Malaysians. But the problem is communications, because they do not speak English," said Thevar, who was in Ukraine for 11 days.

Another VAT69 member, Corporal Mohd Ezaharuddin Abdul Rahim, 35, said members of the team were committed to perform their duties despite the many obstacles.

He said he and his family were thankful when the team returned home after their mission.

"It was sad, but we were serving the PDRM and the nation and we had to do the best we could," Mohd Ezaharuddin who had been with PDRM for 13 years.

Meanwhile, Azizan said 34 more team members were due to return home, including Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.