Malaysia detains 12 suspected of Islamic State group links
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian police said Sunday that they have detained 12 men with suspected links to the Islamic state group who are believed to be plotting attacks on strategic government targets in the country.
National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said the men, all Malaysians aged from 17 to 41, were detained during an operation this weekend.
Police also seized Islamic State group flags and various items that could be used to make explosives, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, kerosene and wires, Khalid said in a statement.
"The plan by the cell members to launch attacks is in response to calls by ISIS leaders in Syria to attack secular Islamic countries deemed to be their enemies," he said.
Malaysia has now detained 104 suspected supporters of the Islamic State group in the past two years.
National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said the men, all Malaysians aged from 17 to 41, were detained during an operation this weekend.
Police also seized Islamic State group flags and various items that could be used to make explosives, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, kerosene and wires, Khalid said in a statement.
"The plan by the cell members to launch attacks is in response to calls by ISIS leaders in Syria to attack secular Islamic countries deemed to be their enemies," he said.
Malaysia has now detained 104 suspected supporters of the Islamic State group in the past two years.