LAHAD DATU, 5 March – Security forces have tightened control in the flashpoint areas declared as red zones following an offensive launched against the armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo near here today.

A check by Bernama found buffer zones set up to differentiate between the flashpoints and the space for civilians at the entrance to Kampung Tanduo, Labian and Tanjung Batu which were heavily guarded by policement and soldiers.

Buffer zones are prohibited areas for the pubic and unauthorised people.

Meanwhile, the local community, including in the neighbouring areas such as Felda Sahabat 16, have taken the precaution of staying put at home.

A check by Bernama in Lahad Datu, about 130 kilometres from the area of intrusion, found people going about their daily activities as usual.

Although most business premises were closed, several sundry shops, a footwear shop and telecommunications shop in Bandar Sri Perdana were operating as usual.

Early this morning, the security forces launched an aerial and ground offensive against the intruders who had holed up in Kampung Tanduo since Feb 9 and had killed eight policement in two skirmishes, in Kampung Tanduo and Kampung Simunul, Semporna, on March 1 and 2.

Eighteen of the intruders, who claimed to be from the army of the so-called Sulu Sultanate in the southern Phillippines, were also killed in the two incidents.

The security forces launched the offensive after the intruders refused to surrender. -Bernama