Police thwarted an attempt by suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) militant movement to launch attacks on Merdeka eve, with the arrest of three persons since last Saturday.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the three suspects, aged between 20 and 27, were arrested in operations conducted by the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in the federal capital, Selangor and Pahang last Saturday and on Monday.

“All the three suspects are Malaysians who are members of the same cell. They received instruction from Mohamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi to launch attacks at an entertainment centre in Kuala Lumpur, a Hindu temple in Batu Caves, Selangor, and on a police station or any policeman with hand grenades or firearms on the eve of Merdeka 2016,” Khalid said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the police seized a K75 hand grenade and a CZ 2075 RAMI pistol with 24 rounds of ammunition from one of the suspects.

The 20-year-old suspect, who is a lorry driver, was detained in Selangor last Saturday, he added.

Khalid said the explosive and firearm were given to the suspect by a courier of Mohamad Wanndy.

He said the other two suspects, both traders, aged 27 and 20, were detained in Pahang and in the federal capital, respectively, last Monday.

“The three suspects planned to go to Syria to join the terrorist group with the help of Mohamad Wanndy, after launching the attacks,” he added.

They were detained for terrorism-related offences under Chapter VI-A of the Penal Code and will be investigated according to procedures under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Khalid added.

- Bernama