Police On Alert over Threats from Indonesian Daesh Group

Kuala Lumpur, 04 Dzulhijjah 1437/06 September 2016 (MINA) – The Royal Malaysia Police are on alert over threats from the Indonesian Daesh militant group who had been active in giving instructions to launch attacks in the region, including Malaysia.

Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division principal assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay disclosed that the group leader, Bahrum Shah possessed considerable funds that could allow large scale attacks to be carried out.

“Previously, during the time of the Al-Qaeda, a lot of funds came from Afghanistan and they were used for the Bali, Indonesia bombing.

“If the funds came from Syria, then we have to prevent it as it can trigger large scale attacks…this is what is worrying us,” Bernama quoted him as telling reporters at the International Association for Counter-Terorism and Security Professionals ASEAN Security Symposium and Awards, here, today.

Earlier, Ayob Khan in his speech said besides Bahrum, two others from the Indonesia Daesh militant group, Bahrun Nain and Abu Jandal were also active in giving out instructions to their followers to launch attacks.

He said, so far the police had foiled 13 attack plots from the Daesh group in the country, of which seven were already on the second phase when the police found bombs, bullets and chemicals.

“A majority of the targets for the attacks were entertainment outlets and government offices,” he said.

So far this year, Ayob Khan said a total of 239 individuals in the country had been nabbed since 2013, believed to be involved in the Daesh activities.

On Aug 31, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that the police had foiled another attack attempt planned during the eve of the National Day with the arrest of three locals, believed to be members of Daesh.

The three suspects aged between 20 and 27 years old were picked up in the Federal Capital, Selangor and Pahang through the operation carried out by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division, Khalid added. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)