Ex-Gurkha officer arrested after 2-hour manhunt
AsiaOne
Tuesday, Jun 26, 2012
SINGAPORE - An ex-Gurkha officer was arrested by the police on Monday after a two-hour manhunt in a forested area in Pasir Ris.
The Straits Times said the 35-year-old was arrested for desertion. He last held the rank of police constable in the 2,000-strong Gurkha Contingent.
Investigations are still ongoing. He is understood to have failed to report back to camp as ordered.
The operation started at about 5pm on Monday in the forest off Jalan Loyang Besar and Pasir Ris Drive 4.
At least eight police vehicles, including red trucks from the Special Operations Command, were present.
Around 30 officers, including some in plainclothes, scoured the area. They also used sniffer dogs. .
Onlookers told the English daily that they saw at least 10 officers moving into the forested area at about 6.30pm.
They initially emerged from the undergrowth empty-handed, but dashed in again after exchanging hand signals.
Later, they came out with the fugitive, who was dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts. He was handcuffed and led away.
The Gurkha contingent in Singapore was formed in 1949. They are usually assigned to escort duties and to guard key installations.
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