Seven men bearing swords attacked and slashed both hands of an ice cubes seller in Kuala Besut yesterday because he had apparently conducted business in their area, police said today.

The incident took place in Kampung Gertak Seratus at about 11.30am when the ice cubes seller was delivering the ice to a grocery store, said Besut Police chief Supt Mohd Zamri Mohd Roni.

The seven men drove up in two cars and attacked the ice cubes seller, forcing him to seek shelter in the toilet of the store, he said.

However, the attackers pursued their victim up to the toilet and slashed both his hands, he said, adding that his right hand was almost severed at the wrist.

Mohd Zamri said the victim was rushed to the Kuala Besut Health Clinic from where he was taken to the Besut Hospital and then transferred to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

He said the attackers also smashed the windscreen of the victim’s lorry.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim recognised three of the seven attackers,” he added.

- Bernama