KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – A total of 16 suspected Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants aged between 20 and 38 years old have been detained in a six-state swoop, said Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.
He added that 16 were detained in Selangor, Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Sabah between Sept 21 and Oct 6, and said 14 of the 16 were part of the “Gagak Hitam” cell led by militant Mohamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi.
“They had sworn an oath of allegiance to Mohamad Wanndy online. We also believe they have channelled funds to the militant leader,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 9).
Tan Sri Khalid added that that one of the suspects detained was a 20-year-old university student who was detained at the KL International Airport on Sept 22 upon his return to Malaysia.
“He went to Istanbul on Sept 7 but was detained by Turkish authorities via information from our Counter Terrorism Division. He planned to secure safe passage to Syria via Turkey,” he said.
He added that police personnel had also detained a North African man, saying that the man is a member of Jahbat Al Nusra.
“We believe he had sneaked into Malaysia in May. He is involved in falsifying travel documents for the terror group,” said Mr Khalid.