Friday, 01 March 2013 14:49

An ambulance waiting outside the palm oil plantation where a gunfight occurred between Malaysian security forces and Sulu gunmen on Friday. Pic: The StarFELDA SAHABAT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has confirmed that two security personnel were killed and another three injured in a fire exchange with the armed Filipino intruders today.

New Straits Times reported Najib said between 10 and 12 intruders were also killed.

He also confirmed that the armed Filipino intruders were the first to attack after they ventured out about 1.5km from the place they had holed up.

He said Malaysian security forces have increased their strength in Lahad Datu, both on land and its waters.

Bernama reported that the two commandos were killed in a mortar attack while patrolling at one of the posts around the village.

Malaysian Digest learnt that the duo were identified as Inspector Zulkifli Mamat (pic) and Corporal Sabaruddin Daud. Both were attached to the VAT69 outfit.

This came after initial reports that claimed at least 10 Sulu gunmen have been killed and four others injured during an exchange of fire about 10am.

Philippines news portals, quoting Sulu sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani reported that despite the casualties incurred by the group during the attack, the sultanate would continue to peacefully pursue their claim over Sabah.'

In the meantime, police has declared an immediate curfew in Lahad Datu following the gunfight.

It is learnt the decision was made as a precautionary measure after the two police commandoes were killed.

Deputy Head of the IGP Secretariat (Public Relations) ACP Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar was already in Sabah.

In a press conference at 6pm, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib told reporters that 12 Sulu gunmen were killed in the clash between Malaysian General Operations Force members and the gunmen. The number of injured among the Sulu group is unknown.

He said the skirmish began at 9.59am and last about 30 minutes.

"Our men stumbled upon several of the intruders who fired at them, forcing our police to return fire,'' he said, adding that security forces are now holding their ground around the radius of 10sq km.

He said police recovered some of the weapons of the Sulu group.

Meanwhile, a police source said the operation to weed out Filipino intruders at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, was an integrated operation carried out by police, armed forces, including the civil defence force, Komando 69 and Marine police.

The situation in Lahad Datu was tense as many shops remained closed while residents living in the area remained indoors for fear of the current stand off between a group of Filipino intruders and the Malaysian security forces.

The Malaysian security forces had rounded up Kampung Tanduo on Feb 11, when about 150 men dressed in military attire and armed, had encroached into Malaysian waters and landed in the village on Feb 9.

Kampung Tanduo where the group was staying is a remote area situated about 130 kilometers from Lahad Datu.

The group have identified themselves as the Royal army of the Sulu Sultanate, headed by Agbimuddin Kiram.

Malaysia and the Philippines officials have had numerous negotiations with the group ever since but were futile.

VAT 69, Who and What Are They?

Very Able Troopers 69 (VAT 69) is a force established to fight the communist threat in 1969 and the insurgency years. Mooted by the then Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Tun Dr Ismail, VAT 69 was formed in 1969 itself as a small combat unit to counter the tactics and techniques of communist terrorists.

VAT 69 is a subdivision under the Police Special Operations Command or ‘Pasukan Gerak Khas’ (PGK), an elite high-profile counter-terrorism and special operations tactical unit of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). Another distinct subdivision of the PGK is the Special Actions Unit or ‘Unit Tindakan Khas’ (UTK).

Although VAT 69 and the UTK were amalgamated into the PGK on October 20, 1997, when it was launched by the fifth Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor, the two are still operating as separate units. The UTK is now officially known as PGK Detachment A and VAT 69 has been deputized to PGK Detachment B.

Pioneer members of VAT 69 were originally trained by the famed British Special Air Services (British SAS) Regiment. Specializing in jungle warfare and deep reconnaissance missions, VAT 69 conducts in land, sea and air operations.

Their mission is to execute special operation in support of the police’s Special Branch fight against subversive organization and terrorist activities, offensive operations using special weapons and tactics, anti-terrorism, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, close protection and supporting the Malaysian Armed Forces special forces, RDF or infantry force in any security measures.

In the 1970s, VAT 69 started its initial operations and successfully deployed against the communist threats. After suffering heavy losses, the communists agreed to lay down their arms in 1989.

Other missions VAT 69 has been involved in included the fight against the Al-Ma’unah cult – a Malaysian-based militant group. The group became infamous by their bold raid on July 2, 2000, on a Malaysian Army Reserve camp in the small hours and stealing weapons from the armory.

The group was later cornered in the village of Sauk, Perak and subsequently defeated Malaysian security forces, including the VAT 69, stormed the camp in Operation Dawn.

In 2001, VAT 69 was sent to bust the criminal activities of a MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) militant Rizal Aleh, who had escaped from the Philippines with his father to Sabah. In the operation dubbed Ops Rambo II, Rizal, his father and their allies were caught. Upon facing the courts in the Peninsular, both father and son were handed back to the Philippines as they were among those listed as ‘Most Wanted’ there.

In 2005, VAT 69 officers and members from its Ulu Kinta base were flown to Kukup to retrieve the MV Natris ship from Indonesia’s Bertam waters that was stolen from the Malacca Straits in 2003. The operation was dubbed Ops MV Paulijing.

VAT 69 were also deployed on a search and rescue mission when the Hornbills Skyways helicopter crashed in Sarawak; when the hanging bridge in Perak collapsed, and when the Nuri aircraft crashed in Pahang, killing a Royal Malaysia Air Force member.

With a never-say-die attitude, VAT 69 troopers have an impressive battle record but maintain a very low profile.