Gurkhas to guard sea entry points

Gurkhas to guard sea entry points

SINGAPORE: Sea entry points into Singapore are now being guarded
by Gurkhas as part of enhanced measures following the London
subway attacks in July and the recent Bali bombings, police said
on Wednesday.

Members of the Gurkha Contingent -- elite Nepalese fighters
who gained fame in the British armed forces -- have been deployed
at the international Sea Cruise Center and ferry terminals, a
police statement said.

The center is used by ocean-going ships from some of the
world's leading cruise lines, while the terminals link Singapore
to Indonesian islands and southern Malaysia.

"In addition to these enhanced security measures, the Police
Coast Guard have also been randomly checking ferries and other
vessels when they enter the Singapore territorial waters," the
statement said.

A police spokeswoman told AFP the new Gurkha deployments
started this week. -- AFP