Counter terrorism unit bags six suspected militants

In the net: Three suspected militants being escorted by Bukit Aman officers after the swoop.

KUALA LUMPUR: In the wake of terror attacks in other parts of the world, Bukit Aman has dealt a blow to Islamic State in a targeted sweep across four states in the country, scooping up six suspected militants.

Among those arrested were two brothers, relatives of a known militant, Muhammad Fudhail Omar, who police now believe is likely to replace Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi as the top Malaysian militant in Syria.

The 25-year-old ordered a lone-wolf attack against non-Muslims in Sandakan last August, over which a 17-year-old was arrested, and remains in contact with several suspected militants in the country.

The suspects were detained by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in Kelan­tan, Selangor, Perak and Ke­­dah between May 23 and 26.

One of the arrested was suspected IS weapons smuggler, 27-year-old Muhammad Muzafa Arieff Junaidi, wanted by police following a special operation in March.

Sources revealed that the suspect fled to southern Thailand on March 23 with an M4 rifle and a pistol.

“The authorities believe he handed over the weapon to a contact at Sungai Golok.

 

“He returned to Malaysia on April 14, hoping to stay under the radar but the authorities were on to him,” a source said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Muham­mad Muzafa was arrested on May 23 when he surrendered in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

“We have hunted for him since he fled in March and even asked the public’s help in finding him through the media.

“We are still investigating the extent of his smuggling operation,” the IGP said.

The siblings, a 23-year-old religious school teacher and 29-year-old online merchant in Perak and Kedah, were detained on May 25 and May 26, said Khalid.

Khalid said the brothers were suspected of assisting and supporting IS militants in Syria, especially Fudhail and another man, Akel Zainal.

“We believe Fudhail is likely to replace Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi as top Malaysian militant,” he said.

 

Sources said the brothers had used their own bank accounts to gather funds for IS militants in Syria.

“They would receive the funds before channelling them to diffe­rent IS cells in Indonesia, Turkey and Syria,” a source said.

The fourth suspect, a 54-year-old retired army personnel, was detained on May 25 in Kedah.

“We believe he had channelled some RM20,000 to militants in Syria through multiple transactions.

“One of his sons, Afif Safwan Azuddin, has already joined IS in Syria,” Khalid said.

The country’s top cop added that the remaining suspects were de­­tained in Selangor and Kedah on May 25.

“One of the suspects is a quality control officer at a private company while the other is jobless.

“Both are suspected of suppor­ting and assisting the IS group,” he said.