KOTA KINABALU: THE High Court was yesterday told of the gruesome injuries sustained by six police personnel who were killed during an attack at Kampung Simunul in Semporna last year.
Investigating officer Inspector Jamirin Kintai showed the court several photographs of the policemen.
They were Superintendent Ibrahim Lebar, Assistant Superintendent Michael Anak Padel, Sergeant Baharin Hamid, Sergeant Abdul Azis Sarikon, Corporal Salam Togiram and Corporal Mohd Azrul Tuliman.
During the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, Jamirin said most of the victims had slash wounds on their head and body.
He was testifying as the 32nd witness at the trial of 30 individuals charged with offences linked to the armed incursion in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu and the Simunul attack in Semporna.
The trial continued on Monday after a two-month adjournment. The hearing before judge Stephen Chung Hian Guan was held at the Central Prison in Kepayan here.
When cross-examined by defence counsel Datuk N. Sivananthan, Jamirin said he was not informed as to how and in what circumstances the police officers were killed.
“I was only informed about the bodies. I came to know later that the incident (at Kampung Simunul) was connected to the Sulu intruders.”
Sivananthan: Do you agree that the manner in which the six police officers died and the nature of the injuries does not reflect injuries sustained in a normal shoot-out as there were slash wounds, decapitation and other injuries which suggest it was caused in close proximity?
Jamirin: I disagree.
Sivananthan: Do you agree that in order for the police officers to die, suffer the injuries they did, for example the decapitation, it would have had to be done at close proximity, and were not not caused by gunshots?
Jamirin: I disagree.
Sivananthan: Do you agree that the decapitation would have been caused by a sharp weapon?
Jamirin: Maybe.
To a question by Sivananthan, he said he was unaware Michael had RM3,250 during the incident. He said it was normal for an officer to carry money during an operation “depending on the assignment and units”. Hearing resumes today.