TANJUNG MALIM: Police have suspended the search and rescue (SAR) operation for a soldier swept away by strong currents in the Royal Belum Forest, Gerik.
Acting Perak police chief Deputy Commisioner Zulkafli Sariaat said the operation was halted after 10 days of efforts yielded no leads.
Zulkafli said while police have suspended their SAR operation, the armed forces would continue their own search efforts.
"It has been approximately 10 days since the police (SAR) began. As for police, we have decided to stand down the operation.
"However, I have been informed by the Gerik district police chief that the armed forces are continuing their efforts, as the incident occurred within their operational area.
"If there is any further information, we will share it," he told reporters at the Muallim police headquarters here, today.
On Dec 2, it was reported that a soldier was found dead, believed to have drowned, while another was missing during an operation in the Royal Belum Forest.
The dead soldier was identified as Lance Corporal Mohd Afandi Jahwin, in his 20s, while Lance Corporal Ahmad Zulhilmi Ahmad Tamizi, also in his 20s, was the one who was missing.
Initial investigations revealed that the two soldiers, along with seven others, were attempting to cross Sungai Merah around 6pm on Nov 29.
The two were reported to have been swept away by strong currents.