A 20-year-old police officer was stabbed multiple times with a file during a drug bust in Phnom Penh on Sunday, with doctors warning he could be permanently disabled.

Say Chamroeun was reportedly on patrol with his partner in Por Sen Chey district’s Choam Chao commune when the pair approached at least three men suspected of consuming and dealing an unspecified drug.

According to Choam Chao commune police official Uy Khemara, the officers asked to search the men and turned up three small packets of drugs in the pockets of two of them.

Khemara said another man then approached the group and shouted at the other suspects not to be afraid of the police, then threw a sword at Chamroeun, injuring him in the arm.

“[Chamroeun] chased after the suspect, but the suspect took out the file and stabbed him in three different places. After that, the suspect and his friends escaped,” he said.

While Chamroeun was rushed to hospital, a search began for the men in nearby houses, leading to the arrest of two suspects: Vorn Pich, 25, who is accused of the attack, and his 19-year-old brother, Vorn Sna.

According to Choam Chao commune police chief Theng Kosal, Chamroeun was sent to Phnom Penh’s Calmette Hospital, where doctors successfully removed the weapon from his back, but warned he could be permanently disabled. Chamroeun remained in critical condition as of press time.