THE BODIES OF TWO AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS LOST DURING TOP-SECRET OPERATIONS INSIDE INDONESIAN BORNEO DURING THE CONFRONTATION MORE THAN 40 YEARS AGO HAVE BEEN FOUND.

Remains Of Aussie Confrontation Soliders Found In Indonesian Borneo

MELBOURNE, March 16 (Bernama) -- The bodies of two Australian soldiers lost during top-secret operations inside Indonesian Borneo during the Confrontation more than 40 years ago have been found.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Tuesday told parliament that the remains of the two missing soldiers had been positively identified and would be returned to Australia.

They were Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) lieutenant Kenneth Hudson from Brisbane and SASR private Robert Moncrieff of Newcastle, the Australian Associated Press reported.

Both were lost on March 21, 1966, while conducting a patrol in border security operations during the confrontation between the new federation of Malaysia and Indonesia.

"During a river crossing they were separated from the other member of their patrol," Rudd told parliament.

"Despite extensive searches at the time they were not found."

However, information subsequently emerged that their remains had been found and buried by local Indonesian people.

This was at the time of "Confrontation" when Indonesian President Sukarno had threatened to obliterate the new Malaysian confederation, engaging in blustering rhetoric and military incursions into Sarawak.

Both Australia and Britain deployed troops into Sarawak to ensure its security.

From 1964, Australian and British special forces conducted clandestine missions into Indonesian Borneo, ambushing Indonesian troops and gathering intelligence.

Full details of these so-called "Claret" operations were not revealed until years later.

Rudd said the Australian army started an investigation in 2008 to locate the remains of the two soldiers and in 2009 the Indonesian military agreed to assist.

"As a result of strong cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Indonesian armed forces TNI and the commitment of serving Australian personnel and veterans, the remains of these two Australian soldiers have now been found," he said.

"In particular we thank the local Indonesian people who helped a joint search team locate the burial sites."

Minister for Defence Personnel Greg Combet acknowledged the assistance of the residents of Sanggau province, who offered the recovery team significant assistance.