17-year-old ISIS supporter detained in S’pore, planned attack in Tampines West

17-year-old ISIS supporter arrested shortly before planned attack in Tampines West

A 17-year-old self-radicalised Singaporean was recently arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The teenager had reportedly planned an attack on non-Muslim males in Tampines.

On Friday (18 Oct), Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, revealed in a doorstop interview that the teenager had been radicalised online and became a supporter of ISIS.

In May, he pledged allegiance to ISIS and even planned to travel to Syria to fight with the group. He shifted focus and planned an attack in Singapore after facing obstacles getting there.

Arrested weeks before he conducted planned attack

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the teen had planned to attack residents in a crowded area near Tampines West Community Centre.

In June, he scouted the route that he intended to take for his attack, which he intended to execute during the September school holidays.

He planned to carry out the attack using a kitchen knife or a pair of scissors — weapons he felt he could wield “effectively” and “inflict maximum damage” on his targets.

He also practised stabbing motions at home with the intent of killing or seriously wounding his targets.

Inspired by ISIS’s propaganda which glorified suicide knife attacks, the teen was even willing to be killed by the police or passers-by, as this would fulfil his aspiration to become a martyr.

He was arrested by the Internal Security Department (ISD) in August, just weeks before his intended attack.

“I would say this was a very close shave. It is very fortunate that ISD arrested him in time,” Minister Shanmugam said.

The teen was also handed a two-year Order of Detention in September.

Public should remain vigilant against radical materials online

Mr Shanmugam acknowledged that extremist narratives are widespread and often relate to ongoing global events, which authorities in Singapore have no control over.

With the current Israel-Hamas conflict, he pointed out that the 17-year-old’s case demonstrates how terrorist groups exploit such situations to recruit and radicalise individuals, even if they are not directly involved.

He urged the public to stay vigilant to avoid taking in radical content or becoming radicalised.

While most Singaporeans have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong, a small segment is still susceptible to radicalisation and may carry out attacks.

Also read: 14-year-old boy & 33-year-old woman self-radicalised online, served Restriction Orders: ISD

14-year-old boy & 33-year-old woman self-radicalised online, served Restriction Orders: ISD

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Featured image adapted from Internal Security Department (ISD).