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A Malaysian soldier guards in Lahad Datu, Sabah state, on March 7, 2013. (Xinhua).
Malaysia on Thursday rejected Philippine Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram's call for a unilateral ceasefire, urging him to surrender unconditionally his fighters whose invasion in Malaysia's Sabah state led to almost a week of deadly clashes.
The Malaysian forces continue pounding areas in Sabah's east coast with aerial and ground assaults since Tuesday in a move to end a nearly month-long siege by Philippine militants.
The militants had come in a group of more than 180 who arrived in Lahad Datu, Sabah from the southern Philippines on February 9 to claim territorial rights to the land.
At least 52 gunmen were killed since gunfighting between security forces and the militants broke out last Friday, Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar told a press conference on Thursday.
Eight Malaysian policemen have also been killed so far, but the Malaysian security forces suffered no casualty during the all-out assault on Tuesday and the following mop-up operation.
The militant group had ignored an ultimatum to leave set by both the Philippine government and the Malaysian government.
"We ask them to lay down arms and surrender unconditionally," Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Thursday.
He added that the Malaysian government will not negotiate with the Sulu militants and that operations will continue until they surrender.
He was speaking at a press conference soon after arriving on ground zero of the conflict zone in Lahad Datu to boost the morale of the soldiers fighting there.
Najib also declared a special security area in the east coast, where extra battalions would be stationed for the safety of the civilians.
Jamalul Kiram on Thursday called for a unilateral ceasefire through his spokesman in a television broadcast in Manila.
"They will not take any action. They will remain in the place where they are now. They will not expand operations... We hope Malaysia reciprocates the same call for a ceasefire," he said.
His plea came after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki- moon urged a peaceful resolution and that all parties in the conflict act within the international human rights norms and standards.
The Malaysian police said the security forces are widening their operations ground as some of the gunmen have eluded capture by infiltrating into oil palm plantations and forests.
The Malaysian authorities released photos of 13 militants' bodies on Wednesday killed during the raids and said they were in a process to recover more bodies.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said on Wednesday Malaysia might seek the extradition of Jamalul.
