Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar today clarified that police have yet to rule out terrorism as a factor in the Puchong pub bomb explosion.

"We are investigating all angles including terrorist elements.

"Let us do our duty and when the time comes we will make the necessary statement," Khalid told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

"For now, a lot of parties can claim (responsibility).

"We should not give any recognition to them. When we give them recognition, they will be braver," he said when asked for comment on a Facebook posting by Syria-based Malaysian Abu Hamzah Al-Fatihah.

According to Sin Chew Daily yesterday, Abu Hamzah had issued a statement saying that the attack was perpetrated by two IS members and was in retaliation for disrespecting the holy month of Ramadan.

Questioned further on authenticity of the the Facebook posting, Khalid said: “You judge for yourself. There are so many untruths that have been spread through social media. So you all judge for yourself.”

Khalid also stressed that the police are looking at all angles of the case, including claims of two patrons being a target of the attack.

“I think from the beginning, I have not made any statements (on the case).

“Today I made a statement saying we will look at all angles. Don’t contradict me,” he stressed.

Police had earlier confirmed that the explosion which left eight injured was caused by a hand grenade that was lobbed into the nightspot.

Asked on the possible source of the hand grenade, Khalid said: “We (Malaysia) don’t make grenades. We don’t manufacture hand grenades.”

In a Facebook post, Movida owner Roger Hew had put to rest speculations of a possible terrorist attack and pointed the finger at an Indian couple, claiming that preliminary investigations showed the husband and wife were the target.

Following this, the spotlight fell on S Jaiseelan and his wife M Bavani who were celebrating their wedding anniversary in the establishment.

However, the 32-year-old personal driver was incensed and threatened legal action if Hew did not apologise.

‘No surge in shooting cases’

Khalid, meanwhile, also put to rest concerns over a perceived rise in shooting cases.

“This is not something sudden but it has been happening over time

“We will ensure that this kind of things do not happen and we will take action,” he said.

In the first six months of this year, Khalid said police have made over 500 arrests under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959.

“That is clear that Ops Cantas is going on well and we are right on target to arrest those who are involved in syndicated and violent crimes,” said Khalid when asked for comment on former IGP Musa Hassan’s urging earlier today for authorities to launch ‘Ops Cantas 2' and crack down on gang-related activities.