Malaysia&#39;s most-wanted member of the Islamic State militant group has been killed in Syria, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Monday, citing intelligence information.

Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi, 26, who was on a US list of global militants, was the alleged mastermind behind a grenade attack on a Kuala Lumpur bar last June which injured eight people. It was the first and so far only Islamic State attack that caused casualties in Malaysia.

&quot;After reviewing intelligence, the Royal Malaysian Police can confirm that Muhamad Wandy (sic) has been killed in an attack in Raqqa, Syria on April 29,&quot; Khalid said on his Twitter account, confirming previous reports of Muhammad Wanndy&#39;s death in a drone strike on the Islamic State-held city.

Police had earlier cast doubt on the reports, saying that it was possible Muhammad Wanndy had faked his own death.

Born and raised in the west Malaysian state of Malacca, Muhammad Wanndy left for Raqqa with his wife in 2014. He first drew public attention the following year when he appeared in a video showing the beheading of a Syrian man.

Using the name Abu Hamzah Al Fateh, he quickly made a name for himself as an Islamic State online recruiter and fundraiser.

Statistics from the police counter-terrorism unit show that at least a third of the more than 250 people arrested for Islamic State-linked activities in Malaysia between 2013 and 2016 were recruited by or linked to Muhammad Wanndy.

In March, he was named a &quot;Specially Designated Global Terrorist&quot; by the U.S. Treasury, making him a high-profile target for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

(Reuters)

Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi was the alleged mastermind behind a grenade attack on a Kuala Lumpur bar last June

Malaysia's most-wanted member of the Islamic State militant group has been killed in Syria, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Monday, citing intelligence information. Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi, 26, who was on a US list of global militants, was the alleged mastermind behind a grenade attack on a Kuala Lumpur bar last June which injured eight people. It was the first and so far only Islamic State attack that caused casualties in Malaysia. "After reviewing intelligence, the Royal Malaysian Police can confirm that Muhamad Wandy (sic) has been killed in an attack in Raqqa, Syria on April 29," Khalid said on his Twitter account, confirming previous reports of Muhammad Wanndy's death in a drone strike on the Islamic State-held city. Police had earlier cast doubt on the reports, saying that it was possible Muhammad Wanndy had faked his own death. Born and raised in the west Malaysian state of Malacca, Muhammad Wanndy left for Raqqa with his wife in 2014. He first drew public attention the following year when he appeared in a video showing the beheading of a Syrian man. Using the name Abu Hamzah Al Fateh, he quickly made a name for himself as an Islamic State online recruiter and fundraiser. Statistics from the police counter-terrorism unit show that at least a third of the more than 250 people arrested for Islamic State-linked activities in Malaysia between 2013 and 2016 were recruited by or linked to Muhammad Wanndy. In March, he was named a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" by the U.S. Treasury, making him a high-profile target for law enforcement agencies worldwide. (Reuters)

Malaysia's top Islamic State operative killed in Syria

Malaysia is stepping up security at its borders to prevent Malaysian militant fighters from trickling into the country as Iraqi forces launch&nbsp;an offensive to take back Mosul, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid told a press conference that security at the Malaysian airport and the border has been increased, and illegal routes are being monitored.

&quot;We have been exchanging intel with international intelligence agencies, and we have a suspect list which includes names of those we believe have ties with Daesh (Islamic State),&quot; he said,&nbsp;Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Zahid did not mention the number of Malaysians currently in Mosul but according to Reuters, police figures released last month showed that 90 Malaysians had joined IS in Syria and Iraq since 2013.

In August, Malaysia&nbsp;revoked passports of 68 Malaysians who had left the country to join IS.&nbsp;

Deputy PM Zahid said that if the fighters return home, they would be detained and sent for deradicalisation.&nbsp;

So far, 137 Malaysians have been arrested for either planning to join IS overseas, returning to Malaysia after joining the group&nbsp;or sending funds to the group, he added.&nbsp;

The country&rsquo;s defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein had said on Monday that intelligence sources suggested that thousands of IS members would make their way back to their countries of origin&nbsp;or look for safe havens in regions like Southeast Asia, if they lose Mosul to the Iraqi forces.&nbsp;

&quot;We have to be very proactive,&quot; he was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama.

Authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia have been on high alert since eight people were injured when two IS supporters threw a grenade into a bar on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the first successful attack by the group in Malaysia.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

This comes after intelligence report said IS members would return to their home countries or hide in Southeast Asia if they lost Mosul

Malaysia is stepping up security at its borders to prevent Malaysian militant fighters from trickling into the country as Iraqi forces launch an offensive to take back Mosul, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Tuesday. Ahmad Zahid told a press conference that security at the Malaysian airport and the border has been increased, and illegal routes are being monitored. "We have been exchanging intel with international intelligence agencies, and we have a suspect list which includes names of those we believe have ties with Daesh (Islamic State)," he said, Reuters reported. Zahid did not mention the number of Malaysians currently in Mosul but according to Reuters, police figures released last month showed that 90 Malaysians had joined IS in Syria and Iraq since 2013. In August, Malaysia revoked passports of 68 Malaysians who had left the country to join IS. Deputy PM Zahid said that if the fighters return home, they would be detained and sent for deradicalisation. So far, 137 Malaysians have been arrested for either planning to join IS overseas, returning to Malaysia after joining the group or sending funds to the group, he added. The country’s defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein had said on Monday that intelligence sources suggested that thousands of IS members would make their way back to their countries of origin or look for safe havens in regions like Southeast Asia, if they lose Mosul to the Iraqi forces. "We have to be very proactive," he was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama. Authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia have been on high alert since eight people were injured when two IS supporters threw a grenade into a bar on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the first successful attack by the group in Malaysia. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Malaysia shores up security as Mosul offensive sparks fear of militant influx

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Malaysia's top Islamic State operative killed in Syria

Malaysia shores up security as Mosul offensive sparks fear of militant influx