The police are in the midst of gathering information on the whereabouts of two Malaysians held hostage by al-Qaeda-linked militants.

This follows Tuesday’s storming of the militant hideout in Jolo Island in the southern Philippines by Philippine security forces.

Sabah Police Commisioner Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said today, at the moment they had no update on the situation.

Reuters reported at least 15 militants were killed in an attempt by the Philippine security forces to rescue 10 foreign captives, two of whom are Malaysians.

The news agency quoted an army general as saying there was no immediate word on the fate of the hostages.

Malaysians Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, and Bernard Then Ted Fen, 39, were kidnapped in Sandakan on May 14.

- Bernama