Malaysia arrests another woman allegedly linked to militant cell

KAJANG (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Another woman allegedly linked to a militant cell was arrested in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the woman was among 10 suspects, including a widow, detained for allegedly planning to launch bomb attacks in Malaysia and other secular Muslim countries.

"She was arrested in the vicinity of KL this (Tuesday) morning. We are in the midst of tracking and identifying other members," he said this at a press conference here.

Mr Zahid said the suspects, aged between 25 and 56, were picked up in various locations in the country.

He added that the group included students, odd-job workers and professionals.

On Monday, Bukit Aman's Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit arrested nine members in simultaneous dawn raids in Selangor and Kedah.

Police are expected to make more arrests soon.

The cell is believed to have been operating since October last year and had recruited its members via Facebook.

Among those nabbed is a man in his 30s, said to be the brains behind the cell.

According to a source, items seized from the premises included maps and plans of government buildings and key installations and publications.

It is learnt that the group is against any Muslim country seen as secular and pro-democracy.

"We believe our government and other governments are its intended targets in what it regards as Jihad Perang (Holy War)," the source told The Star, adding that Jihad Perang was also the same motto adopted by Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

"This group has no political links but has ties with foreign terror cells," the source said.

It is learnt that the group is also involved in recruiting fighters to Syria and authorities have also traced its indirect links to the Al-Qaeda and JI terror groups.

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