However, Sabah police commissioner Hazani Ghazali said police success in eliminating the five leaders had destroyed the group’s cells in the state.

“We believe that with this success, we have managed to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf cells in the state and the Sabah police will continue to increase intelligence throughout the state to detect remnants or cells from neighbouring countries hiding here.”

Hazani said one of the suspects included a “sub commander” of the terrorist group, known as Mabar Binda, who was on the Philippine government’s wanted list.

He said the other three casualties were identified as Abhirsham Samsula@Samseed, Jurakhdam Binda and Alsimar Sukarno, while another has not been identified. All of them were aged between 20 and 40.

“While conducting a raid of the area, a man is said to have suddenly opened the door before opening fire at the police.

“Several other suspects armed with pistols and machetes also came out and launched an attack on the security forces.

“In an effort to defend themselves and stop the threat, the police returned fire, and the attack was successfully stopped.

“Further examination found that two of the suspects were holding pistols while the other three were armed with machetes,” he said.

During the operation, the police also seized two pistols, two ammunition magazines, live rounds, bullet casings and three machete blades.

“Based on the response from the Philippine authorities, the four suspects who were shot dead were confirmed as members of the Abu Sayyaf militant subgroup and had been involved in the bombing of a Philippine security forces’ military truck,” he said.