KUALA LUMPUR: A 33-year-old man involved in armed robberies was killed in a shootout with police in Besut, Terengganu, early Sunday (March 16) morning.
The suspect from Terengganu was driving a four-wheel-drive on Jalan Seberang Jerteh, Kuala Besut, when he was detected by police during an operation codenamed "Ops Laras."
Sources said a Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team stopped the vehicle near the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Gong Kedak.
"Instead of cooperating, the suspect fired several shots at the police, forcing them to return fire," said the source.
After the shootout ended, police found a silver pistol with bullets on the vehicle floor.
"Two packages filled with drugs were also seized," added the source.
Initial investigations revealed the suspect had seven previous criminal records, including offences related to firearms smuggling, robberies, and drugs.
The crimes were committed in several areas in Kelantan, including Pasir Puteh and Pasir Mas.
Further investigations are being conducted by Terengganu police and the Forensic Unit.
It is learnt that Terengganu police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin will hold a press conference on the incident soon.
