19th Malaysian militant linked to IS killed in battle

Another Malaysian militant linked to the Islamic State (IS) has been killed in Syria, taking the total number of deaths to 19.

Abd Ghani Yaacob, who is from Kedah, is believed to have been killed after being shot in the chest during a battle near the Al Khair region on Apr 17, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Better known among his militant circles as Abu Bashir and Abu Kedah, the 31-year-old is said to have become attracted to IS’ activities through Facebook three years ago.

He then travelled to Turkey in December last year with the help of another Malaysian, before entering Syria illegally.

Abd Ghani’s death was confirmed by Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division’s principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

Based on intelligence obtained by the police, Abd Ghani was not a high-ranking official in the terrorist organisation.

“In this case, Abd Ghani had gone to Syria first while several others were waiting their turn to join him.

“However, we acted swiftly to detain them,” he told the Malay daily, referring to the six individuals charged in court earlier yesterday for links to IS.

(THE STAR ONLINE)