Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (GKNB) successfully thwarted a terrorist plot and armed attack targeting an Orthodox church planned by members of the banned "Islamic State" (IS) group ahead of the New Year, as reported by the GKNB press center.
During ongoing counter-terrorist operations in Jalal-Abad, the GKNB detained underage individuals affiliated with the IS group, who had been recruited online by foreign emissaries. The detainees, born in 2007, were instructed to place an improvised explosive device near the main Christmas tree in Jalal-Abad's central square. Additionally, they planned a terrorist attack and an armed assault on the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jalal-Abad.
Mobile devices seized from the suspects revealed "irrefutable evidence of preparation of a terrorist action," including correspondence with IS emissaries, an action plan, instructions for making improvised explosive devices, and "video recordings of the oath of allegiance" to the terrorist group's leader. The unnamed individuals are currently detained in pre-trial detention center #53, and a criminal case has been initiated under the charge of terrorism, as stipulated in the Criminal Code of the Republic.
The GKNB is actively pursuing operational and investigative measures to uncover the suspects' criminal connections within Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the ongoing efforts to ensure public safety.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS