Two kidnap suspects shot dead
KUNAK: Two men, believed to have links to the kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group in southern Philippines, were shot dead in an exchange of fire with security forces off Pulau Bohayan waters on Thursday night.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commander DCP Datuk Hazani Ghazali told a press conference yesterday that the incident occurred at about 10.45pm during Ops Gasak Khas carried out by ESSCom at a water village, Kampung Kunak Tiga.
Hazani said that during the operation, the suspects fled in one of the pump boats and headed towards Kunak waters.
He said a team from the security forces pursued them and flashed the blue lights to warn them to stop.
“However, the suspects opened fire, forcing the security forces team to return fire.
“The team later intercepted the boat and upon inspection, found two bodies with gunshot wounds,” he said.
According to Hazani, the security forces found a .22 pistol with seven live bullets on the first suspect’s waist and another .22 pistol with one live bullet as well as five bullet shells on the other suspect’s hand.
The team also found a Samurai sword and seized the boat together with its engine and paddle.
Meanwhile, Hazani also disclosed that during the operation, they also nabbed 18 men for not having documents and seized 16 pump boats.
He added that they also seized a pump boat bearing the name ‘Ainigel’ and a picture of an eagle, believed to be involved in the kidnapping incident at Bodgaya waters, Semporna on September 11, where two Indonesian fishermen were abducted.
Also present at the press conference were Sabah CID chief SAC Jauteh Dikun and ESSCom Operation Centre chief of staff Brig Jen Datuk Md Rahim Mohamad.