Alor setar: Two suspects, believed to be foreigners, were killed in a shootout with police during an operation to rescue two kidnap victims at a house in Taman Amira, Telaga Bata, Alor Setar, Kedah, last night.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar stated that the incident unfolded at approximately 8.40 pm when the suspects fired several shots at the Special Investigation Division (D9) team from the Bukit Aman CID. The raiding team returned fire in self-defence, resulting in the neutralisation of the threat. The suspects were pronounced dead by medical personnel at about 9.30 pm, and no identification documents were recovered from them.

The victims, both foreigners, were rescued during the operation. A man in his 70s and a woman in her 30s were found blindfolded and handcuffed at the scene. Additionally, police discovered a Beretta semi-automatic pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition, a revolver with four rounds, and a long machete near the suspects.

Following the shootout, police conducted several raids, leading to the arrest of six individuals. The arrested include a local man, four foreign men, and a foreign woman, all aged between their 20s and 40s, from areas in Kedah, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur. Authorities plan to remand the suspects under Section 12 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, and the case is being investigated under Section 3(1) of the same Act for kidnapping for ransom.

Kumar emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and urged the public to refrain from making speculative comments that could interfere with the investigation or cause unnecessary public concern. A press conference regarding the incident is scheduled for August 10 (Monday).