Three alleged members of the notorious No 66 Gang were shot dead after they tried to attack police at the home of a businessman in Kampung Air Gelugor, Gemencheh near Tampin today.

Negeri Sembilan Osman Salleh said in the 4.45am incident, the trio, all in their 30s, died at the scene after being hit by eight shots fired by police in defending themselves against the suspects who were armed with parangs.

"Prior to the incident, police had received a call from the businessman who said he heard noises coming from the back of his house and suspected criminals were trying to enter his home," he told a press conference today.

Also present were State CID chief ACP Mohd Zaki Masroh and Tampin police chief Supt Wooi Kooi Cheang.

He said a quick action team despatched to the scene found the men trying to enter the house.

He said on realising the presence of the police, the men tried to attack the police officers which forced them to fire at the suspects in self-defence, resulting in the trio, who did not have any identification documents, being shot dead.

Armed with parangs, screwdriver

Osman said two of the suspects' accomplices who were waiting nearby in a white Nissan Sunny car managed to flee the scene in the direction of Tampin town.

"Police also recovered two parangs, a knuckle duster, two cutters and a screwdriver. The bodies have been sent to the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital in Seremban and we are going through their finger prints to determine their identities.

"With this success, we believe we have solved at least 10 cases of armed robberies and break-ins committed by this notorious gang in Johor, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan," he said.

He said the prior to today's attempted break-in, the gang had committed armed robbery in Felda Jelai, Gemas on June 11 where they escaped with RM30,000.

Anyone with information on the getaway Nissan Sunny car is urged to contact ASP Khairil Anuar Saidin at 06-4411209 or 06-4431999.   

Only five days ago, police killed four suspected robbers at the house of Pahang executive councillor Wan Adnan Wan Mamat.

- Bernama