IPOH: What was thought to be a morning “terrorist attack” here was actually a counter-terrorism exercise, the police have assured the public.
Earlier, social media was abuzz with talk of gunshots being fired at a polytechnic, leading to speculation of people getting injured during the incident.
The police have since clarified that the incident at Politeknik Ungku Omar yesterday was just a counter-terrorism exercise.
Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the small-scale exercise, named “Ex Kurung”, was aimed at assessing the preparedness of various agencies, including the police’s VAT69 Commando unit, the polytechnic and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in handling and managing such a crisis as outlined by the National Security Council.
“The exercise is aimed at testing the effectiveness of our terrorist crisis management action plan to ensure public safety and order is protected.
“In the exercise on Monday at about 9.05am, the scenario involved armed terrorists that had taken a lecturer and several students hostage.
“The exercise also saw a number of vehicles being used, including a helicopter from the General Operations Force, at the premises.
“We urge the people to remain calm and not to make any inaccurate speculations related to the exercise and incident,” he said in a statement yesterday.
In a separate statement, a spokesman from the polytechnic said one student had sustained a minor injury during the exercise.
“The student sprained an ankle and has received treatment.
“Health Ministry personnel were also on campus to provide aid and psychological services to those who required it,” said the spokesman.
For further inquiries, parents or students can contact the polytechnic’s student affairs’ department at 011-6255 7656.
