Four suspected kidnappers shot dead

LAHAD DATU: Four men, believed to be members of Kidnap For Ransom (KFR) Group were shot dead in an exchange of fire with security forces off the Felda Sahabat waters on Tuesday.

State Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din told reporters at the Lahad Datu Police Headquarters yesterday the incident occurred about 2am.

Ramli said a suspicious boat carrying several individuals were spotted by a team of security forces comprising Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) special unit, Unit 69 Komando and Marine Police Force who were carrying out longdistance patrol at the areas.

"The team later intercepted the boat which was speeding towards a group of fisherman boats with the lights on.

"While approaching the boat, the team heard gunshots and saw fire sparks. The team were forced to return fire to defend themselves," he said.

After the situation had calmed down they found two bodies inside the boat and another two in the water. All the suspects died at the scene.

Ramli said no identification documents were found on the bodies of the four men aged between 20 and 40.

"Following the discovery of bullet shells inside the boat, the group were believed using heavy firearms which were believed thrown into the waters during the fire exchange.

"Security forces have dived into the water but yet to discover the firearms. We will seek assistance from other agencies to find the firearms and other case items," he said.

During the press conference, Ramli revealed that they also seized a pump boat without registration number, a pump engine, a pistol (Remmington Rand cal .45) with a magazine, a grenade launcher (40mm), bullet shells 7.62mm (21) and bullet shells 5.56mm (13).

In the meantime, Ramli revealed that they have received 33 reports about KFR but no incident occurred.

Ramli said the last information received on May 5 stated that a group of five or six men were monitoring at the Lahad Datu waters. It is possible, he said the suspects who were shot dead could be from the same group reported earlier.

He said police were still investigating if the suspects were in the ESSCom wanted list.

"Security control will be enhanced with more proactive action and assets to be placed on the field to trace down any incident that could affect national security," he added.

Also present at the press conference were ESSCom Commander DCP Datuk Hazani Ghazali, Sabah Crime Investigation Department chief SAC Jauteh Dikun and District Police Chief ACP Hamzah Ahmad.