KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian police say they foiled terrorist attacks planned on the eve of the Independence Day with the detention of three suspected Islamic State members.
Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the three men had planned to attack entertainment centres in Kuala Lumpur, a Hindu temple that is also a popular tourist destination, and police stations with grenades or firearms on Tuesday, ahead of national day celebrations on Wednesday.
He said the men were detained during a three-day operation that began on Saturday. They had received orders to launch attacks issued by a Malaysian fighting with the Islamic State in Syria.
The trio had planned to fly to Syria to join the Islamic State following the attacks, he said.