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