Tragedy struck in Sik as a Special Branch police officer from the Kedah contingent police headquarters lost his life while on an operation against encroachment and illegal hunting in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve.
Sik OCPD Deputy Supt Abdull Razak Osman revealed that the 39-year-old officer was fatally shot during the operation that took place near the town. The incident occurred around 10am on Thursday.
According to initial investigations, a team comprising personnel from Sik police headquarters, Kedah state Special Branch, Central Kedah District Forestry Office, and civilians entered the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve on Feb 27.
They spent the night at Compartment 103 to investigate reports of trespassing and illegal hunting. The following day, the victim and two civilians ventured to Compartment 124 for further observations and investigations using a public vehicle.
However, by 6.30pm on Feb 28, they had not returned to their base. A search operation was launched, leading to the discovery of their vehicle at the junction between Compartments 124 and 125.
Further inquiries suggested that they had lost their way in the darkness. At 2am, a gunshot was heard, and the officer was later found with a gunshot wound to his body.
Despite being rushed back to Compartment 103 and then to Sik Hospital, the officer succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
In the wake of the incident, a 65-year-old male suspect, who was one of the civilians accompanying the victim, was arrested to aid in the investigation.
The case is currently under investigation under Section 304 of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, as reported by Bernama.
