Three robbers shot dead

Saturday February 14, 2009
Three robbers shot dead

KUALA TERENGGANU: Three Indonesian members of a notorious robbery gang were shot dead by police while two other accomplices were injured during a gunfire at Kampung Shantong, Paka in Dungun near here, early yesterday.

Police have launched a massive manhunt for the injured robbers who are believed to be hiding in a nearby jungle.

State CID chief Asst Comm Mohd Fauzi Abduri said police surrounded a house in the village during the raid at about 2.45am following a tip-off that gang members responsible for a spate of armed extortions and burglaries were operating from there.

He said the five men, who realised that police had laid an ambush, tried to attack the police team with parang and sharp objects.

Police fired warning shots but the five continued to attack the police with the weapons, before fleeing the scene in a car.

ACP Mohd Fauzi said the men tried to ram police with their car, adding that police then shot the driver who was killed instantly.

He said the other four then escaped on foot but police managed to trace them and a pursuit ensued along Jalan Shantong, Paka, at about 5am.

The policemen fired shots, killing two of the gangsters and injuring the other two who escaped into the jungle.

ACP Mohd Fauzi said the gang is believed to be responsible for 11 armed robberies in Setiu, Marang and Dungun. - star