Two gunmen shot dead by police in Sabah (Updated)

KOTA KINABALU: Police have shot dead two gunmen who were wanted for a spate of armed robberies at a plantation in the Kunak district near here today.
The drama unfolded at about 1.30am at Ladang Ulu Tingkayu Kunak when policemen on crime prevention rounds spotted the duo behaving suspiciously at a hut at the plantation.
Sabah police chief Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said when police approached them, the suspects open fire at the policemen.
"This forced the police to open fire, killing them instantly.
"Police also found several weapons comprising two hand-made shotguns, two pistols and live bullets at the scene," Abdul Rashid said in a press conference at the district police headquarters here today.
The suspects, believed to be in their 30s, did not have identification documents on them.
"We cannot ascertain who they are or where they're from, but based on the evidence at the scene, the weapons and some drugs, they were drug pushers and smugglers who were also involved in armed robberies," he said.
Abdul Rashid further revealed police will investigate if there is any link between the two suspects and a kidnap-for-ransom group involved in a recent shootout.
"We are not discounting the possibility of any links or that they were part of a bigger group, let us investigate," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
Last Thursday, three of seven suspects, believed to be kidnappers from southern Philippines, were shot dead by the police general operations force while two others were arrested.
The other two escaped after a deadly shootout in the sea off Semporna.
The group, believed to be among the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf bandits from southern Philippines, were on a kidnap and robbery spree, hitting three boats before approaching the fourth, which was an unmarked boat occupied by security forces.
Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, in a Twitter posting, congratulated police on their success.
"Congratulations to the Kunak district police team @PDRMsia who shot dead two gunmen at Ladang Ulu Tingkayu Kunak, early today. #GoPDRMGo," said Khalid.