A police corporal was injured when he was allegedly stabbed three times by a man believed to be mentally unsound in Kampung Bechah Pulai, Laloh, Kuala Krai, Tuesday.

In the 7am incident, three policemen from the Laloh Police Station went to the village on receiving reports that a man was running amok.

Kelantan CID chief ACP Lai Yong Heng said the policemen, upon arrival at the village, found a 26-year-old man standing at the front door of a house holding a knife.

"They tried to calm the man down but failed and decided to use pepper spray on him.

"The spray hit the man in the eyes and he rushed towards the victim and stabbed him three times with the knife," Lai said when contacted by Bernama.

He said the victim, Corporal Awang Awang Besar, suffered injuries on the left ear, the left ribs and left arm, and was being treated at Hospital Kuala Krai. He is reported to be in stable condition.

The suspect was also detained at the same hospital.