KUALA LUMPUR: The search for a soldier who went missing during an operation in the Royal Belum forest continues.
In a statement, the Malaysian Armed Forces said Lance Corporal Ahmad Zulhilmi, from the 22nd Commando Regiment, Iskandar Camp in Mersing, Johor, and Lance Corporal (LKpl) Mohd Afandi Jahwin, a member of the 21st Commando Regiment from Sungai Udang Camp, Melaka, were swept away by the current while on patrol during an operation in Banding, Perak.
It said Mohamad Afandi was found dead by the search and rescue (SAR) teams on Dec 1 at about 6pm along the riverbank, three kilometres from the troops' command post.
The deceased was laid to rest earlier tonight, it said.
"The search efforts for Zulhilmi are still ongoing by seven SAR teams, consisting of five officers and 112 LLP (enlisted ranks) personnel starting from Sungai Merah until Sungai Perak," it said.
Afandi, from Matu, Sarawak, and Zulhilmi, from Kampung Padang Limau, Sungai Petani, Kedah, were both unmarried.
Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and the armed forces extended their condolences to Mohd Afandi's family for their loss.
On Nov 30, during the KOTA, ECHO, FOXTROT series 6/2024 operation near the Malaysia-Thailand border, nine personnel were swept away by a sudden surge of floodwaters while patrolling the Permatang area near Sungai Merah.
Seven soldiers were rescued the same day, but Afandi and Zulhilmi went missing.