The suspects, both 31, fled the scene after hearing the victim scream at 2.45am near Jalan Multipass Link in Song, Kapit, Sarawak, Berita Harian reported.

The shot hit the 29-year-old corporal in his left side, causing severe damage to his kidney and liver, the report said.

He was taken to the Song health clinic and later transferred to Kapit Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7.43am.

The soldier, from Pakan, Julau in Sarawak, was taking part in the Pasak Bumi Exercise Series 2/2024 with his company, the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment, and was based in Oya Camp, Sibu, during the incident.

Sarawak police commissioner Mancha Ata said a special investigation team was formed following the incident on Monday and the arrests were made at about 6pm on Tuesday.

Mancha said a preliminary investigation found that a shotgun belonging to the father of one of the suspects, who had a valid licence, was used in the incident.

“However, both suspects were not licensed to carry firearms,” he said.