2 armed men shot dead in Nilai condo shootout with police

NILAI: Two armed suspects were shot dead by federal police following a brief car chase that ended in a shootout at a condominium car park here.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) deputy director (intelligence and operations) Datuk Fadil Marsus said the incident occurred at about 10pm on Thursday.
"The two suspects, both local men aged 29 and 40, were travelling in a silver Toyota when they were intercepted by police personnel.
"During the incident, both suspects were armed and opened fire on the police. A police vehicle was damaged by the gunfire, but fortunately, no officers were injured," he told reporters at the scene last night.
Fadil said the suspects were believed to be members of a robbery syndicate targeting residential homes, courier service collection centres, and convenience stores across Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, and Kuala Lumpur.
"The 40-year-old had 76 previous criminal records involving violent crimes and drug offences, while the younger suspect had 11 prior records.
"We do not rule out the possibility that the suspects were involved with secret societies, based on their use of firearms and involvement in drug-related activities," he said.
He added that investigations were ongoing to track down remaining members of the group.
Several raids and seizures linked to the syndicate have been carried out since the incident.
Fadil also said that the location of the shootout was believed to have been a transit point for the group.
Police have identified several other premises used as their residences.
"We believe the 40-year-old suspect was the ringleader. These individuals are also suspected to be connected to last month's armed robbery at a courier company's collection and operations hub in Klang.
"That incident, which went viral online, showed a group of men wielding parang and firearms ambushing the premises," he said.
In a separate incident, Fadil said that another suspect was fatally shot by police at Jalan Lintang Bayan Lepas, Penang, at around 4am yesterday.
"A shootout occurred between police and a 36-year-old local man, resulting in his death. We believe he was part of a group involved in robbing houses, laundromats, 24-hour convenience stores, and factories," he said, adding that a semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.
Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof, Bukit Aman CID D9 principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Muhamad Riduan Manap@Saif and Nilai police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim were also present at the scene.
Following the shootout, eight people, including a woman, were arrested.
Fadil said that the man shot in Penang had 34 prior records involving criminal and drug-related offences.
"We will continue to take firm action against suspects involved in violent crimes. We are identifying their strongholds, residences, and the nightclubs they frequent," he said.

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