Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the incident at 3.15am occurred when a team from the state contingent’s Criminal Investigation Department stopped a Perodua Myvi and Toyota Avanza which were being driven in a suspicious manner.

He said the team tried to approach the cars for inspection, but two suspects in the Toyota Avanza suddenly acted aggressively and fired a few shots at them.

“At the same time, two suspects in the Perodua Myvi tried to escape before a scuffle ensued. The suspects also attacked the police with a machete and a dagger, injuring an officer.

“Out of self-defence, the police then fired back at the suspects,” he told reporters at the Batu Pahat district police headquarters here today.

Ayob Khan said the suspects, believed to be foreigners, aged between 23 and 40 did not possess any personal identification document.

He said in the incident, the police also discovered a black revolver with six bullet shells, four bullets, two machetes, a dagger as well as several tools believed to be used for robbery and burglary.

Also seized were two vehicles which had been reported missing, he added.

“All the bodies were taken to the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang for post-mortem while the officer who suffered minor injuries on his right arm was sent to the Batu Pahat Hospital here for treatment,” he said.

Ayob Khan said the case was being investigated under Section 307/186 of the Penal Code.