BEAUFORT, SABAH – Police shot dead five Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) militants who returned to an illegal mangrove settlement near Taman Sri Arjuna here on Monday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the 11.27am killings were in self defence after a special police task force were targets of Colt .45 gunfire and charged at with machetes.
“Two of the downed gunmen are brothers. Mabar Binda, a sub leader of the Daesh (ISIS) linked terror group, and his brother Jurakhdam escaped the initial raid on May 8.”
Mabar was also on the Philippines wanted list. The five aged 20 to 50-years-old.
“We have eliminated a single terror cell here in Sabah. All police chiefs have been directed to identify and sweep illegal settlements within their respective districts…
“The reason these groups have a foothold here is because of sympathizers who helped them cross the border with pump boats and supplies.
“In response there might be retaliation from the terror group with attacks directed at police,” he said.
Hazani reminded the public to be brave and immediately report to authorities any suspicious activities. He said village chiefs have been strongly briefed.
Two Colt handguns were seized along with corresponding magazines, 20 live bullets and three machetes.
