A set of six-year-old triplets ran 20 kilometres away from their mother possibly to escape physical abuse, local media reported today.

The boys, Mohamad Arif Adilan, Mohamad Arif Asraq and Mohamad Arif Aiman, were found wandering in front of their grandfather's house in Tumpat, Kelantan, police said.

"Two of the boys have bruises on their faces and back," district police spokesman Juri Yunos was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

Mother's report

He said the boys' father lodged a report alleging that the boys ran away from his former wife. The case will be investigated, he added.

The triplets have been hospitalised and are receiving treatment.

"I could not believe it as their clothes were torn, their faces were pale and they looked tired. These are my nephews and I had not seen them for about a year - since my brother Suhaimi and his wife separated," the boys' aunt said. She refused to be identified.

Meanwhile, other police officials said the triplets' mother has lodged a report alleging that the boys had been abducted by Suhaimi. - AFP