Boy shot dead in restricted zone

LAHAD DATU: A young boy was killed, while a man sustained leg injuries when they were shot by security forces at the restricted “Red Zone” in Kampung Tanjung Batu near here today.

The boy was aged between 12 and 15, while the man was 30 years of age.

Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the incident occurred at 9.45am, while the security forces were advancing towards the targeted Kampung Sungai Bilis to track down Sulu terrorists.

“The security forces were questioning two men and three women who had emerged from an undergrowth inside the ‘Red Zone’ in Kampung Tanjung Batu when they heard a rustle at a nearby bush, and spontaneously fired in that direction,” he said.

He said a medical team was dispatched to the scene before the boy’s remains and the injured man were taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital.

“The injured man, and the five people, who did not possess identification documents, have been detained to facilitate investigations,” added Ismail, in a joint media conference with Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin at the “Ops Daulat” Felda Sahabat 16 base here.

Meanwhile, Ismail said, six people were detained in Semporna today, under Section 130(c) of the Penal Code, read with Security Offences Act (Special Measures) for alleged links with the terrorists.

He said two of them were detained at Kampung Perigi Simunul at 6.30am, while the rest, two hours later, at the 1.5 mile Tawau-Semporna highway.

“Ninety-six people have so far, been detained on suspicion of having links with the terrorists, while 66 were picked up for trespassing into the ‘Ops Daulat’ restricted zone.”
- Bernama