KUALA LUMPUR: Several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) with an impact radius of 30m were seized following the arrests of three men at a restaurant in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan last week.

It is learnt that while the bombs were capable of injuring those within 30m of the blast, they would have definitely killed those within a 10m radius.

Their intended targets, among others, included the Better Beer Festival that was cancelled in September as well as non-Muslim houses of worship.

A 19-year-old, Form Six student from Seri Aman Pasir Puteh and a 35-year-old former Army personnel have been identified as the masterminds behind the operation.

They were aided by a 25-year-old contract worker with ties to known militants Akel Zainal and Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi, with the latter having been killed in Syria in April.

The 25-year-old suspect also has connections to the “Gagak Hitam” terror cell, which was responsible for the bombing at the Movida nightclub in June last year, according to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

He said the suspects were believed to be Islamic State (IS) militants.

“The suspects successfully detonated one of the bombs on Sept 28 in a clearing behind the house belonging to one of them, but failed to do so with another.

“We seized three other IEDs that were already assembled, which were each 5.5cm in diameter and 13cm long, and mixed with ball bearings.

“We believe each IED has a blast radius of 30m and is able to cause maximum damage.

“If they (the suspects) had managed to carry out their plans, it would have been devastating with a lot of casualties,” he told a press conference in Bukit Aman on Tuesday.

Among the items seized from the suspect’s house in Pasir Puteh were a gas pipe bomb (4cm in diameter and 15cm long), six pieces of PVC pipes, eight AA carbon batteries, red and white wires, two mobile phones, fire crackers, 12 boxes of matches, six bottles filled with gas, some precision tools, as well as plans and formulates to make the IEDs.

“We are investigating where they managed to get the expertise to make such bombs, but we must also take into account that one of the suspects is a former soldier.

“We are not ruling out the possibly that they managed to get the guidelines from other militants,” Mohamad Fuzi said.

The suspects were targeting entertainment outlets and house of worships belonging to non-Muslims in the Klang Valley, as well as the Better Beer Festival, added the country’s top cop.

“Based on actionable intelligence, we monitored the group and managed to apprehend them before they could launch their attacks.

“We will continue to act on terror elements, be they foreign or domestic.

“We do not simply advise against cancelling any event unless the threat is real,” he said, referring to the backlash the cancellation of the Better Beer Festival has garnered.

Mohamad Fuzi added that the police are considering allowing the Form Six student to sit for his exams on Nov 6, with the cooperation of the Education Ministry.

He said police are also investigating the possibility that more members of the terror cell were still at large.

“We are always taking preemptive measures to apprehend any terror element.

“The success in arresting the suspects is a testament of the hard work put in by the unsung heroes at the Counter Terrorism Division led by DCP Datuk Ayob Khan,” he said, adding that the officers and personnel involved would be given due recognition soon for their excellent work.

A total of 78 militants have been detained this year and more than eight terror plots have been thwarted, according to Mohamad Fuzi.

Asked about the threat of Malaysian militants in the Philippines, the IGP said if they come back, the police will “settle” them.

“We have information that five Malaysians are still in southern Philippines while 53 are still in Syria.

“We are always on guard and if them come back, we will be ready,” he said.