3 days ago
2 men killed in shootout with cops in Jitra
The police forensic unit at the scene of the shootout in Jitra, Kedah, this morning. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : Two men, suspected to be criminals, were killed in a shootout with police in Jitra, Kedah, today.
The incident happened on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) entrance road at 8.05am.
Kedah police chief Fisol Salleh said policemen patrolling the area approached a four-wheel drive vehicle, with its occupants looking suspicious, and ordered it to stop, Bernama reported.
'The two men opened fire on the police vehicle. In the shootout that ensued, both were killed.
'Police found two firearms – a revolver and semi-automatic pistol – several bullets, a parang, and other tools for carrying out criminal activities in the car,' he told reporters at the scene.
He said a background check on one of the men, aged 41, revealed that he had a criminal record for more than 40 offences.
The identity of the other suspect was still unknown as he did not have any identification papers on him.
'We believe the two were part of a larger group commiting violent crimes across the country, including drug trafficking, gangsterism, factory break-ins and armed robberies. This gang is believed to have been active since 2020.
'The police forensic unit found three bullet casings at the scene,' he said.
The bodies were sent to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar for an autopsy. The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
Bukit Aman criminal investigation department acting director Fadil Marsus, who was also present at the scene, said the two men were believed to belong to a criminal gang that had committed serious crimes.
'We are investigating whether they were linked to a criminal group in Klang, Selangor. The group is believed to have more than 30 members,' he said.
