IGP: 'General' shot dead, total 52 enemy dead

KUALA LUMPUR: A 'general' leading the Sulu intruders has been killed along with 31 others who were gunned down by Malaysian security forces since yesterday evening.

This would put the number of enemy gunmen shot dead since violence erupted on March 1 at 52.

This was announced by Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar together with Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin in a press conference this evening.

"Our operations have gone into new territories. Initially we were in Kampung Tanduo, now into Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian," said Ismail.

He said that a firefight occured last night in Tanjung Batu and another this morning in Kg Tanduo, where the one 'general' was killed.

"Until now, I've got reports from the ground commander that confirmed that 31 intruders have been killed and we believe that they are dead. One of them was in Tanduo," said Ismail at the press conference in Sahabat Felda.

The 'general' is widely speculated to be the leader of the armed 'invasion' of some 150 over militants, 'crown prince' Agbimuddin Kiram. Ismail, however, refused to reveal the identity of the 'general'.

As for the Malaysian security forces, there was not a single casualty. Previously, eight Malaysian security forced have been killed.

The join offensive is expected to continue, with the forces tightening the perimetres in the few 'red zones', until the intruders are wiped out or have lain down their arms.