IPOH — Eleven individuals have been arrested in connection with an armed assault on a 26-year-old man, who was forced to jump into the Kinta River to evade his attackers, according to Perak police.

The victim sustained multiple injuries including cuts to his face, limbs, and body. Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin stated that the assault occurred near the victim’s cowshed on Tuesday morning at approximately 10:30 a.m. A group of five men in two vehicles approached the victim, giving chase before one of the suspects attacked him with a machete.

The victim managed to escape by jumping into the river, where he was later found by members of the public and transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

Authorities identified and apprehended the suspects, whose ages range from 22 to 41, shortly after the incident. Comm Mohd Alwi noted that all those detained have prior criminal records predominantly related to drug and violent offences.

The suspects are currently being held in remand as investigations continue, with police probing their potential links to organised crime activities in the region.