ANTI-TERRORIST CAMPAIGN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25902, 7 September 1949, Page 5

ANTI-TERRORIST CAMPAIGN

MALAYAN SECURITY MEASURES REPORTED THREAT TO KUALA LUMPUR SINGAPORE, September 5. Security forces in Kuala • Lumpur, capital of the Federation of Malaya, have been placed on the alert as the result of intelligence reports that Communist terrorists have planned an attack on targets in the city. The guards have been doubled at many strategic points, and Army and Air Force officers have been ordered to carry pistols, both on and off duty. Mobile police patrols in the city streets have been intensified. Kuala Lumpur’s civil population of 20,000 has not been officially informed of the reported threat, but there is some tension in the city. There was a dramatic development to-day, when six Royal Air Force Beaufighters destroyed with rockets and cannon fire three huts in scrub country less than two miles from the residence of the High Commissioner (Sir Henry Gurney). A report had been received that a bandit gang had come in from ihe jungle and was hiding in the huts ready to make an attack on Kuala

Lumpur. A large body of security forces surrounded the spot while the aeroplanes attacked it. The police captured one known bandit and held 50 suspects for questioning. Ground and air operations against terrorists in Malaya are more intensive at present than at any other time in the 15 months’ emergency. Planned anti-bandit actions are being concentrated in mid-Malaya, although security forces are carrying 'out daily patrols throughout the Federation. The latest official estimate of the number of terrorists operating in jungle gangs is from 3000 to 5000. Since the emergency was declared in June last year, security forces have killed 790 terrorists and captured 112. Civilians, police, and army personnel killed total 929. including 508 civilians. In addition. 225 civilians are missing. Today Sir Henry Gurney said that many of the Communists in the jungle were looking for ways of freeing themselves from the clutches of the bandit leaders. For that reason the emergency law had been amended so that any person who had been guilty of carrying arms or consorting with bandits might now surrender without fear of being hanged. ; “The people of this country are determined that the remaining bandits shall be eliminated with the least possible delay.” said Sir Henry Gurney. "On the Siamese border arrangements have been completed between the police forces c-n both sides for cooperation against terrorists. Those measures will prevent terrorists from escaping the volice of either territory I by crossing the border.” Cuban Abandons Attcmnt to Swim —The Cuban swimmer. Jose Cortinas. abandoned his third attemnt to swim the English Channel about four hours after entering the water at Can Gris Nez. Cortinas snent the : £1250 given him by the Cuban Government on his first two attempts.— Paris, September 5.