SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA - Police are baffled over the recent spate of killings here following the third gangland-style murder in just over a month.

State CID chief Asst Comm Mohamad Zaki Masroh said it was highly unusual with three people being gunned down in such a short period.

"We have reason to believe the same people are involved in the killings. We are trying to piece the puzzle together," he said yesterday.

On Friday night, workshop employee L. Ananda Krishnan 46, was having drinks at a coffee shop in Taman Seremban Jaya near here when he was gunned down.

Three men, who wore masks, came in a red Honda Civic. They walked up to Ananda and shot him at close range before fleeing.

The victim, who was hit four times, died at the scene.

Police have yet to establish if the shots were fired by one man and the motive for the attack.

ACP Mohamad Zaki said police found six spent casings at Friday's crime scene.

An eyewitness said Ananda, who was a regular customer at the coffee shop, had arrived at about 4pm and was seen with a few men.

"His friends came and left. He was about to leave when he was attacked," he said.

Ananda is survived by a wife and four children aged between four and 12 years.

On Aug 23, Abdullah Ali, 42 was about to enter an outlet located at a block of flats in Taman Rasah Jaya when he was shot dead.

According to sources, Abdullah and Ananda knew each other.

On July 24, businessman Siow Yong Chun, 47 was having supper with two friends at his restaurant, Restoran Lautan Bayu in Era Square when two men shot and killed him.