Malaysian police detained 14 suspected Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, including a woman, in several raids in five Malaysian states.
The 14 suspects were picked up by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Sabah between July 14 and July 20.
Twelve of those detainees belong to the same cell. They were suspected of taking orders to launch attacks in the country from the known militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi.
The police also seized 1 kg of improvised explosive device (IED) in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said, "one of the suspects confessed to sharing knowledge of how to make an IED with other militants through the Telegram application".
"He also claimed to receive orders from Muhammad Wanndy to make an IED for attacks in the Klang Valley. Muhammad Wandy also promised to supply him with a pistol to defend himself against the police," he said in a statement on Saturday.
He also said that a 49-year-old suspect was a senior member of ISIS. He was quite active in recruiting members through secret "usrah"(talks) in Sik, Kedah.
"One of his recruits is Abu Ghani Yaacob @ Abu Kedah who was killed in Syria on April 17," he added.
According to Khalid Abu Bakar, the 43-year-old woman, who was arrested in Perak, was active in ISIS propaganda. She was planning to go to the southern Philippines with the help of Dr. Mahmud Ahmad, a known fugitive militant.
