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Several individuals in Perak to be arrested for involvement in IS, says state police chief

KUALA LUMPUR — Police in the Malaysian state of Perak have identified several individuals found to be involved in militant group Islamic State (IS) and will be picking them up soon.

Perak state police chief Hasnan Hassan says fighting Islamic State is one of the key focus for his officers this year. Photo: Malay Mail Online

Perak state police chief Hasnan Hassan says fighting Islamic State is one of the key focus for his officers this year. Photo: Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — Police in the Malaysian state of Perak have identified several individuals found to be involved in militant group Islamic State (IS) and will be picking them up soon.

State police chief Hasnan Hassan said the individuals included civil servants and wives of men who are involved in the group.

“Fighting IS is one of the key focus for Perak police this year,” he said.

However, Mr Hassan declined to reveal further details, including the number of people to be arrested.

Malaysia has been on high alert since early 2016 after IS staged a gun-and-bomb assault in Jakarta in January. The country has also been identified by the militant group as being a high-priority target.

In June 2016, IS supporters launched a grenade attack on a nightclub in Selangor that injured eight people. That was the first attack by IS in Malaysia, marking a breakthrough by the terrorist group after numerous plots were thwarted by the authorities.

To date, more than 250 people have been detained in Malaysia for involvement in activities related to terrorism.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of militant involvement and arms smuggling is yet to be extradited back.

National police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the police have gotten in touch with their Pakistani counterparts but the response was not “encouraging”.

“They have yet to respond to us but we’re trying our very best to bring him home,” he said.

Al Muhd Alfie Kqhyriel, who is believed to be an IS supporter, was about to board a Thai Airways flight to Bangkok when he was arrested at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi last month. He was reportedly found with four pistols, eight ammunition magazines and 70 bullets hidden in the luggage and shoes.

A Thai military intelligence source told the Bangkok Post Alfie was heading towards Malaysia, using Thailand as a transit.

Mr Fuzi subsequently confirmed the arrest of the 20-year-old, who originated from Kuching, Sarawak. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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