TWO suspected foreign nationals were killed in a shootout with police during a raid to rescue two kidnap victims at a house in Taman Amira, Telaga Bata near Alor Setar last night.
The incident occurred at about 8.40pm when the suspects allegedly opened fire on a team from the D9 Special Investigation Division of Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as officers stormed the house.
Bukit Aman CID director Datuk M Kumar said the police team returned fire in self-defence until the threat was neutralised.
"The two suspects, believed to be foreign nationals, were pronounced dead by medical personnel at about 9.30pm and no identification documents were found on them.
"The kidnap victims, a foreign man in his 70s and a foreign woman in her 30s, were found with their eyes covered and hands handcuffed when they were rescued," he said in a statement early today.
Police also recovered two firearms near the suspects — a Beretta semi-automatic pistol containing five rounds of ammunition and a revolver containing four rounds.
"One long machete was also found near the criminals," Kumar said.
He said several separate raids were subsequently conducted, resulting in the arrest of six individuals in Kedah, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
"They comprise one local man, four foreign men and one foreign woman, aged between their 20s and 40s.
"An application for remand against all the suspects will be made today under Section 12 of the Kidnapping Act 1961," he said.
Kumar said the investigation was being conducted under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for kidnapping for ransom.
Those convicted under the provision face imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and whipping.
He said the case remained under investigation and urged the public not to speculate or make comments that could interfere with the investigation or manipulate facts in a manner that could cause public concern.
Police will hold a press conference on Monday to provide further details on the incident. - August 8, 2026
