Two of the seven individuals arrested in connection with the shooting of a Komander of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at Bukit Kayu Hitam were found to have gunshot residue (GSR) on them.
Kedah Police Chief, Adzli Abu Shah, revealed that forensic tests conducted on the suspects after four separate raids on Wednesday confirmed the presence of GSR.
The residue was detected not only on the bodies of the two suspects but also on a set of keys and a motorcycle helmet believed to have been used during the incident.
“Although the firearm used in the attack has not yet been recovered, the detection of GSR is a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation. None of the suspects hold a licence for any firearms,” Adzli said during a press conference at the Kedah Contingent Police Headquarters on Friday.
The operation, conducted from 10.30 am to 6 pm, led to the arrest of six local men and one Thai woman aged between 22 and 52.
A husband-and-wife duo residing in Bukit Kayu Hitam were detained at a border checkpoint in Padang Besar, Perlis at 12.30 pm, suspected of attempting to flee the country.
Investigations revealed that four of the suspects had previous criminal records involving serious offences. Initial urine tests showed that five tested positive for ketamine, while another tested positive for methamphetamine.
During the raids, police seized two motorcycles, nine mobile phones of various brands, and five sets of clothing linked to the case. All suspects were remanded for two to four days to assist investigations, while the woman in her 30s was remanded for 14 days under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 to verify the authenticity of her identification documents.
The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms Act 1971, Section 307 of the Penal Code, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The shooting occurred last Wednesday at around 5.40 am when a Proton X70 driven by Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir was fired upon at the Masjid Muhajirin access near the Malaysia-Thailand border. Two men on a motorcycle reportedly discharged two shots from a semi-automatic firearm before fleeing.
Authorities confirmed that the main suspect was apprehended within 24 hours of the attack, with Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail emphasizing swift action to safeguard security personnel.
This incident underscores ongoing threats to law enforcement officers and the critical role of forensic evidence in violent crime investigations.
