GURKHA ATTACK ON TERRORISTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 150, 11 April 1950, Page 3

GURKHA ATTACK ON TERRORISTS

SEVEN KILLED GRENADE THROWN IN DININGROOM (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright). SINGAPORE, April 10. Seven terrorists are known to have been killed and five captured by a patrol of the Gurkha Rifles in an operation in Negrisembilan. The patrol suffered no casual- ' ties. Another guerilla was shot dead by a patrol which raided a bandit camp in Kedah. A military-type hand-grenade was tossed in a dining room of the hotel Metropole in the heart of Ipoh last night, fatally wounding -a European and seriously wounding a Chinese waiter. Others in the room who saw the grenade coming managed to get out of danger before the explosion. Two Chinese were seen running away up a back lane. REPORTED PLEA FOR MORE TROOQPS LONDON, April 10. “It is understood that the military leaders in Malaya are demanding urgent military reinforcements, including at least one extra British division and a correspondingly large increase in close-support squadrons of the Royal Air Force,” reports the “Daily Mail.” “This is in addition to a Gurkha brigade now on its way to Malaya from Hong Kong. “The military leaders on the spot believe that at least two more divisions are really needed to end the Avar Avith the Communist bandits. They realise that Avith the British Army’s present commitments, the proAdsion of even one extra division Avill cause serious complications, but they are adamant in stating that the present long-draAvn-out campaign must be finished quickly-

“In this they are supported by the civil population, Avho complain that trade is dwindling, and that Britain’s prestige is falling faster than ever.”