Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

Tawau: Three heavily armed men believed linked to terrorism and criminal cases were shot dead by police in a cross fire incident at Mile 2, Jalan Kalabakan-Keningau, about 3.20pm on Tuesday.District Police Chief ACP Fadil Marsus said acting on information, a team from district IPD tailed a suspicious white Perodua Kancil containing the three suspects.

He said when the suspects realised they were being tailed, they sped off to the Mile 3 Kalabakan-Keningau direction. The suspects then entered the Block 22 palm oil plantation, stopping about one kilometre from the main road.

"When police approached the car, the suspects pointed weapons at them and opened fire.

In a cross fire, all three suspects were shot dead. No policemen were injured in the incident," he said, adding that one of the suspects in the car's rear seat attempted to flee to the palm oil area after firing at police.

Fadil said the rear seat passenger was found with a 5.56mm rifle while the front seat passenger and the driver had a Samurai sword and a revolver, respectively. Aside from the three weapons found on the suspects, police also seized a mask, gloves and the Kancil.

He said the identity of the three suspects, believed to be in their 40s, are yet to be ascertained and the full details of the case will be revealed by Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali in a press conference today (Wednesday).

A district Criminal Investigation Division team and IPK Sabah Forensic team were at the scene to facilitate investigations. The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971. - Lagatah Toyos