The incident took place in Kampung Gertak Seratus about 11.30am when the ice-cube supplier was making a delivery to a grocery store, said Besut police chief Supt Mohd Zamri Mohd Roni.
The seven men drove up in two cars and attacked the ice-cube supplier, forcing him to seek shelter in the toilet of the grocery store, he said.
However, the attackers pursued their victim to the toilet and slashed both his hands, he said, adding that the victim’s right hand was almost severed at the wrist.
Mohd Zamri said the victim was rushed to the Kuala Besut Health Clinic and then to the Besut Hospital. Later, he was transferred to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
He said the attackers also smashed the windscreen of the victim’s lorry.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim recognised three of the seven attackers,” he added.