Bernama reported Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain as saying the 2.30am raid followed intelligence linking the group to vehicle thefts in Melaka, Selangor, Pahang and Perak, with the stolen vehicles smuggled across the border.

“The suspects opened fire and attacked officers with a parang.

“Police returned fire in self-defence, killing the three,” Shuhaily said at a press conference in Alor Setar.

Police recovered two firearms, bullet casings and the parang at the scene, according to Bernama.

The suspects, aged 35 to 37, had criminal records, including for vehicle theft, Shuhaily said. Their vehicle, a Honda CRV, was reported stolen from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last month.

Shuhaily said police found 26 fake licence plates and tools used for stealing cars inside the vehicle.

He said the syndicate had been active since 2023 and was behind 73 cases of 4WD theft.

Later the same day, Malaysian and Thai police recovered two stolen Toyota Hilux vehicles smuggled into Thailand.

Four Thai nationals, aged 34 to 58, were arrested in Songkhla for allegedly transporting the stolen vehicles.

Shuhaily added that the syndicate leader, a foreign national, remains at large.

Police are continuing their investigations and urge the public to report any information on vehicle thefts.