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Malaysian schoolchildren wave national flags during the 59th National Day celebrations at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2016.
Mohd Rasfan—AFP/Getty Images

Malaysia narrowly thwarted terrorist attacks shortly before the country marked its 59th Independence Day, police said on Wednesday, thanks to the detention of three individuals believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group.

The alleged militants had planned to attack multiple sites in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, including a popular Hindu temple and police stations containing arms and ammunition, national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

He added that the three men — a butcher, a truck driver and a drink seller — intended to flee the country after the attacks to join ISIS in Syria.

[AP]

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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com.

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