This was disclosed today by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mazlan Mansor who visited Zamri today at the intensive care unit of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian.

He said doctors reattached Zamri’s severed right thumb in a 17-hour surgery after the attack by a mentally unstable man at 12.50pm in front of the policeman’s house in Kampung Padang Luas, Besut.

“Zamri is under the observation of the doctors,” he told reporters after visiting the officer, who was also injured in the back of the head in the attack.

Terengganu police chief Aidi Ismail and Kelantan police deputy chief Abdullah Mohammad Piah also visited him.

Mazlan confirmed the attack was by a mentally unstable man and there was no criminal element in the case.

Police have remanded a 32-year-old man for seven days to assist in the investigation.

Police arrested the man at 4.15pm yesterday at Felda Selasih, Besut, as he attempted to flee.