ZAMBOANGA CITY: Malaysian security forces killed two gunmen in a sea battle off Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia near the province of Tawi-Tawi, reports said on Wednesday.

Malaysian media said the fighting erupted after security forces intercepted two motorboats trying to sneak into Lahad Datu. The passengers from one of the boats opened fire on a patrol vessel sparking a sea chase, which ended in a deadly shootout.