Eight Bangladeshis Detained In Singapore, Plans For Terror Attacks On Home Country Revealed
Eight male Bangladeshi nationals as part of the Islamic State of Bangladesh were detained under the Internal Security Act this year. Their plan to organise terror attacks in Singapore was revealed, announced the Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs Tuesday.
The chief leader was 31-year-old Rahman Mizanur. He was an S-Pass holder while the others were Work Permit holders. Aged between 26 to 34, the men were employed in the local and marine industries.
Their names are: Rahman Mizanur, 31; Mamun Leakot Ali, 29; Sohag lbrahim, 27; Miah Rubel, 26; Zzaman Daulat, 34; Islam Shariful, 27;• Md Jabath Kysar Haje Norul lslam Sowdagar, 30; and Sohel Hawlader lsmail Hawlader, 29.
"ISB [Islamic State Bangladesh] poses a security concern to Singapore because of its support for ISIS and its readiness to resort to the use of violence overseas," the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
The men were part of a clandestine group called the Islamic State in Bangladesh, created by Rahman in March this year. While initially, they planned to join ISIS as foreign fighters, they changed their mind and decided not to travel to Syria, but instead, concentrate on returning to Bangladesh. They plotted to overthrow the government through force and then establish an Islamic state in Bangladesh, aligned with ISIS' self-declared caliphate.
Documents seized by the Ministry revealed various Bangladeshi government and military officials who could be attacked, along with information on weapons and bombs. They had allegedly raised funds to buy firearms.
In the past few years, atheist bloggers, academics, religious minorities and foreign aid workers have been attacked. A series of killings going back to February 2015 killed 20. ISIS and some al Qaeda militants claimed responsibility.
Meanwhile, there is no information on when the eight detained men are expected to be charged or deported. They are the first detentions under the Internal Security Act related to a foreign workers' cell.
The statement confirmed that there had been no signs of planning to attack Singapore.
