KUCHING: Twelve illegal immigrants were caught by the Malaysian Armed Forces last Sunday (Aug 29).

A spokesman for the First Infantry Division said all the detained immigrants have since been deported to their country of origin.

The first case took place around 2pm when an ambush team caught three Indonesian men walking along an illegal route towards the border in Kampung Stass, Serikin, Bau.

During questioning, the trio, aged between 20 and 35, did not have any valid travel documents with them and wanted to find jobs in Sarawak.

The second case involved nine Indonesians who were caught trying to enter the state via an illegal route in Biawak, Lundu at 4.45pm.

Inspections found that the immigrants — six men, two women and a girl, aged between seven and 53 — also did not have any valid travel documents with them and wanted to look for jobs.

The military spokesman assured that the army would continue to enforce Ops Benteng to curb illegal immigrants sneaking into Sarawak as well as cross-border criminal activities.