Puchong explosion: Police also investigating element of terrorism, says IGP

The police are investigating all aspects, including the element of terrorism, on the bomb explosion at an entertainment centre in Puchong Tuesday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said further investigations needed to be carried out before any statement could be issued.

"Let us investigate first and it will encompass all aspects, including terrorism

"Statements on this case will only be made when necessary," he told reporters after a ceremony to hand over helmets to traffic policemen here Wednesday.

Also present was Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh, Federal Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director SAC Datuk Mahamad Akhir Darus and Celcom Axiata Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly.

He cautioned the public against making any speculation on social sites in connection with the incident.

Yesterday, at least eight people were injured, one seriously, in an explosion believed to be from a hand-grenade at an entertainment outlet in IOI Boulevard, Puchong near here.

On the frequency of shooting cases, Khalid said the police would increase patrols, including enforcement at the national border to curb smuggling of firearms.

"Most of those involved in shooting cases were criminals who obtained the firearms which were smuggled from a neighbouring country," he noted.

This month, there were three shooting cases, with the latest reported early today.

A private sector company general manager was seriously injured when he was shot by an individual on a motorcycle while the victim was driving on the North-South Expressway near Desa Petaling early this morning.

Earlier, 300 Givi brand helmets contributed by Celcom Axiata were handed over to traffic policemen on duty during Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.

In SELANGOR, the state police have set up a special task force to track down the mastermind behind the bomb blast at the entertainment.

Selangor police deputy chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said the task force would be led by state CID deputy chief, ACP Yahaya Abdul Rahman, with cooperation from the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman.

He said the police had obtained footage from the closed-circuit television cameras to detect the suspects.

"We are still trying to determine the motive behind the explosion, as to whether it was due to revenge...or if specific individuals were targeted by a group," he told reporters here today.

Abdul Rahim said initial investigations revealed that those injured in the explosion did not possess any criminal record, adding the case was investigated for attempted murder.