TAWAU, July 6 -- Police have arrested 10 teenage boys to assist investigations into the alleged assault of four schoolmates in Merotai Besar on Friday.

Acting Tawau Police Chief Supt Wilynton Enchana Watt said the suspects, aged between 14 and 17, were detained at 2pm on Saturday.

The operation was carried out jointly by officers from the District Criminal Investigation Division (BSJD) and Bombalai Police Station.

Investigations found that a group of students approached four teenage boys who were walking along a shortcut to Masjid Hidayatul Iman in Merotai Besar to perform Friday prayers.

They asked one of the boys the whereabouts of two individuals and allegedly attacked and assaulted him after he said he did not know.

"The victim s...