Police on the hunt for acid attackers

Kuala Lumpur has been plagued by attacks on at least 22 people since February

KUALA LUMPUR: Police detectives are hunting two men who have been throwing acid on pedestrians in a string of attacks that have sent shockwaves through the capital, police said on Thursday.

Kuala Lumpur has been plagued by attacks on at least 22 people since February, terrifying residents across the city and its suburbs.

City police chief Zulkifli Abdullah said the pair, who ride a motorcycle, have targeted mostly women and children.

“We are doing more patrols and we hope people are more alert,” Zulkifli told AFP. “We will take very firm action against this irresponsible act.”

In the latest attacks last weekend a woman with a one-year-old baby was splashed while another was reportedly hospitalised with burns to her face.

Most of the victims were hit with the unidentified liquid, while walking to train stations, car parks and bus stops. Many escaped with minor injuries to their hands or faces.

- AFP