A masked assailant, believed to be a member of the terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), was shot dead after killing two officers and injuring another during a brazen attack at the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor Bahru this morning (May 17).
Johor police chief Commissioner M Kumar confirmed that the masked assailant launched the attack at the Ulu Tiram police station earlier today. Reports indicate that the suspect stole two firearms from the station and opened fire on the officers, killing two and injuring another. One officer was shot in the abdomen and shoulder, while another was slashed on the back of the neck with a machete.
According to the local media reports, Commissioner M. Kumar, the chief of police in Johor, has confirmed that the Ulu Tiram police station was attacked at 3am today.
The two officers who were killed and the one who was injured in the attack were reportedly slashed by a masked suspect dressed in dark clothing and armed with a parang. The attacker was shot and killed at the scene.
The victims have been identified as Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, who suffered slashes to his neck and head, and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, who was shot. Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, another victim, was shot and is currently being treated in the red zone of Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI). The bodies of the victims and the suspect have also been taken to HSI.
Authorities have identified the assailant as a member of Jemaah Islamiyah, a notorious militant Islamist group with past involvement in bombings in the early 2000s.
Despite being weakened in recent years, JI still poses a threat with its remaining cells in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Malaysia, along with international bodies like the United Nations and the European Union, has designated JI as a terror group.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain revealed that five family members of the deceased suspect have been arrested to assist in the investigation.
The family members, ranging in age from 15 to 62, are being questioned for any potential links to JI or knowledge of the attacker’s motives. Additionally, police found several JI materials at the suspect’s residence, further linking him to the extremist group.
Following the attack, police have identified over 20 JI members in Johor and are conducting investigations to prevent any further threats to public safety. The injured officer is said to be in stable condition, recovering from the injuries sustained during the attack.
In response to the incident, security measures will be heightened at all police stations to ensure the safety of officers and prevent future attacks. The recovered firearms, a Walther P99 pistol, and a HK MP5 rifle, will undergo forensic analysis to determine their origins and any additional evidence that may shed light on the assailant’s motives.
UPDATE :
20 people believed to be members of the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) have been arrested in Johor, Malaysia following an attack on a police station in Ulu Tiram. The attack, carried out by a suspected JI member named Radin Romyullah Radin Imran, resulted in the deaths of two constables and injuries to another, according to the report.
Radin, 34, was shot dead at the scene after hacking one constable to death and shooting another. Police recovered JI-related items from Radin’s house and have arrested his five family members, aged between 19 and 62, as part of the follow-up raids.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain stated that all JI members in Johor would be identified and questioned by the Special Branch. Security has been increased at Ulu Tiram and other police stations as a precaution.
The incident occurred when Radin rode his motorcycle to the back of the station and attacked the constables who were occupied with a couple filing a report. The couple, aged 21 and 22, have also been arrested for questioning to determine if they were involved in the attack as a distraction.
JI GROUP
JI is a militant Islamist group that was founded in 1993 by Indonesians Abu Bakar Bashir and Abdullah Sungkar. The group has strong ties to al-Qaeda and has been involved in various terrorist attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings which resulted in the deaths of 202 people. Abu Bakar Bashir was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but was released in January 2021 after serving 11 years of his sentence.In Malaysia, JI has had a significant presence, using the country as a safe haven and operational base during the 1980s and 1990s.
Malaysian authorities have taken action against JI members, leading to the disruption of their networks. The other founder, Abdullah Sungkar, passed away in October 1999.
The Inspector-General of Police at the time, Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, expressed that if Abu Bakar Bashir is released, he will be closely monitored by Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism Division. This precaution is necessary as Malaysia continues to face threats from JI activities.
Images via Malaysian Media
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