Planned Attack Thwarted by Authorities
A 17-year-old Singaporean was arrested just weeks before he could carry out a planned terrorist attack targeting non-Muslims in Tampines. The youth, who supported the terror group ISIS, had intended to stab men in a crowded residential area during the September school holidays. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam described the arrest as a “very close shave.”
Arrest Under Internal Security Act
The teenager, a student from a mainstream school, had practised stabbing motions with scissors and traced his planned attack route near his home in Tampines Street 81. The location was chosen due to its proximity to supermarkets, shops, and community facilities, making it a densely populated area. His plan was to target non-Muslim men near the Tampines West Community Club.
He was arrested in August under the Internal Security Act (ISA) before he could execute the attack. In September, the Internal Security Department (ISD) issued a two-year detention order against the teenager.
Averted Threat to Public Safety
The swift action by the ISD has raised concerns about the growing threat of self-radicalisation among youth in Singapore. Authorities continue to focus on early detection and intervention to prevent such individuals from carrying out acts of violence.
