2 Killed in Suspected Terror Attack in Malaysia

Officials have reported the deaths of two police officers and the injury of another in Johor state, Malaysia, on Friday morning, following an attack by a man suspected to be affiliated with the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic group.

Razak Hussain, the police inspector-general, stated that the suspect entered the police station in the town of Ulu Tiram in Johor after 2 a.m. local time (1800 GMT Thursday), wearing a mask and wielding a machete.

The suspect killed a police officer who approached him with the machete and seized his firearm. 

Hussain said during a televised press conference that a subsequent exchange of gunfire resulted in the death of a second officer and the injury of a third.

He added that the suspect was also killed in the gunfire exchange.

Hussain noted that the suspect, the "son of a known member of the Islamic group," had no prior criminal record.

"We believe he came with the intention to steal firearms from the police to carry out his own plan, which we have yet to ascertain," he further commented.

Police have arrested seven individuals linked to the attack, including five from the attacker's family.

Reuters was unable to reach the detainees or their legal representatives.

Hussain also ordered investigations into "all members of the Islamic group in the state," stating that the police have identified the identities of more than 20 of them in Johor.