Kedah police chief Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the two men, in their 60s and 40s, were in a car when spotted by police. They ignored police orders to stop and sped away after firing several shots.

Later, at about 11pm, a police team patrolling in Sik spotted the car.

“When ordered to stop, the men in the car did not stop and sped away, forcing the police to give chase before intercepting it.

“During the chase, the suspects fired several shots, forcing police to shoot back in self-defence,” Wan Hassan told a media conference here today.

He said a policeman was hit by one of the bullets but was not injured as he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

He said police searched the car and recovered several items used for house-breaking, such a machete, screw-driver and a sword, and two .38 revolvers.

According to Wan Hassan, the suspect in his 60s had previously been convicted 64 times for robbery and drug-related offences. The other suspect had no previous offence.

Police believe the duo was responsible for 16 to 20 robbery cases in the state. Police are now looking for their accomplices.