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AN explosion and armed assault by a group of individuals at Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO), in Ipoh, this morning have been confirmed as part of a crisis management and terrorism handling exercise carried out by the 69 Commandos of the Special Action Unit (PGK).
In a statement, Ipoh District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad explained that the small-scale drill involved a scenario where an unidentified group took a lecturer and several students hostage.
"Based on the incident, the Ipoh District Police Headquarters (IPD) Control Centre received a report from PUO's security officer regarding the incident," he said.
"This small-scale exercise was designed to test the preparedness of the agencies involved, including the police, PUO, and Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital."
Abang Zainal further explained that the purpose of the drill was to ensure effective management and response to a terrorism crisis, as outlined in the National Security Council (MKN) Directive No. 18.
The presence of numerous police officers, security and medical vehicles, including a helicopter from the Police Air Wing (PGU), in the PUO area was part of the Ex Kurung exercise.
He added that such drills are conducted periodically to assess the effectiveness of terrorism crisis management plans, ensuring the safety and security of the public at all times.
As a result, the public is urged not to panic and to refrain from spreading inaccurate speculation about the incident and the ongoing exercise.
Earlier, several videos circulated online showing PUO students in panic and attempting to flee the scene.
Some videos also captured the sounds of explosions in the area. – March 17, 2025
