KOTA KINABALU: A police corporal told the terrorism trial here yesterday that three skirmishes occurred on March 1, 2013 between Malaysian commandos and the Sulu gunmen.
VAT 69 commando Che Hasdi Che Hussin told Justice Stephen Chung that at least three battles happened at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, where the gunmen were holed up.
Under examination by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, Che Hasdi recalled that at that time, his team led by DSP Hakemal Hawari, were carrying out a close reconnaissance at an area in Tanduo when they heard gunshots.
“I heard gunshots coming from three areas of responsibility where VAT 69 commandos were assigned at about 10am on March 1,” he said.
Che Hasdi was the 21st witness called by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to give his oral evidence against 29 accused persons including the nephew of the late self-styled Sulu Sultan III, Datu Jamalul Kiram.
The accused persons were alleged to have committed terrorism activities at several places in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Sandakan between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013.
They are liable to the mandatory death penalty while the rest provide for life imprisonment and a fine, upon conviction.
To a question by Mohd Dusuki, Che Hasdi testified that his team rushed towards the area where the gunfires were heard but they were split because of the terrain.
“The gunshots were also heard from my left side believed to be a place where a group of snipers were assigned to watch the gunmen’s daily activities as well as on my right side which was our fellow commandos’
areas of responsibility,” he explained. To another question by Mohd Dusuki, Che Hasdi said he and three other commandos ran until they arrived at a hilly open area with several oil palm trees.
“We took cover behind the small trees while waiting for our team members to regroup,” he said.
He added that he then received instruction from their team leader to go to the General Operations Force checkpoint.
“We were at the checkpoint for three days from March 2 to 4, 2013”, said Che Hasdi.
The trial continues today.