KOTA KINABALU: Enforcement officials pursuing the suspects involved in the Kunak shootout are still trying to narrow down their potential hideouts.

       A source from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said various agencies were working together to locate and identify the hiding spots of the suspects.

       It is learnt that there is a rough idea, but proper planning and careful approach are needed to make sure that the location is correct without scaring the suspects off.

       MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin had said that the suspects have been identified as smugglers and were believed to be in the area of Suba Duyung and Batik Parang for cross-border criminal activities.

       In the April 7 shootout, two MMEA personnel were injured while conducting patrols with four others during Ops Khas Pagar Laut. They were patrolling the waters off Kunak district when they noticed a pump boat close to Kampung Pangi.

       As the MMEA patrol approached, shots were fired at them.Petty Officer Zainal Abad Komel, 45, was shot and permanently blinded in his left eye while Leading Rate Prayrie De Cuella Jimin, 35, hurt both hands while trying to retaliate.

       The four other persons were not harmed.

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       Earlier, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Deputy Comm Datuk Victor Sanjos said one of the suspects has been successfully identified as a foreign national who is also listed as a wanted person.

       He said eyewitnesses have confirmed one of the suspects and Esscom is in the process of identifying the two other gunmen.

       Esscom was also in the midst of updating its wanted persons list, he said.