Malaysia detains seven suspected Indonesian pirates in shootout

Jakarta, IndonesiaKuala Lumpur - Malaysian marine police detained seven suspected Indonesian pirates after a high-speed shootout Monday, a piracy watchdog group said.

The suspects, travelling in a speedboat and armed with pistols, machetes and hand grenades, were nabbed after a 30-minute chase, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) confirmed.

Marine police from Malaysia's southern region had waited in ambush for the suspects early Monday, following information and assistance from several shipping companies.

Upon spotting the authorities, the suspects threw three hand grenades at the police boat before speeding off, acting marine chief Mohamad Kamsani Abdul Rahman said.

Police fired several shots, damaging the boat's engine, he said.

"With the engine damaged, we managed to corner and detain the suspects after a 30-minute chase," Mohamad Kamsani was quoted as saying by the Star online news portal.

He said one of the suspects was shot in the stomach, adding that three others were believed to have escaped.

The suspected pirates had allegedly been contacting vessels at sea on the pretext of selling fuel over the last year. Armed men would then board the ships and rob the crew of cash and belongings, the report said.

The seven men, aged between 21 and 53, were believed to be responsible for several piracy attacks last year involving losses of more than 400,000 ringgit (121,200 dollars), Mohamad Kamsani said. (dpa)

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