KUALA LUMPUR: They were armed with six improvised explosive devices (IEDs) capable of killing thousands in the city if their plans had been successful.

These members of the Islamic State (IS) “wolf pack” cell were close to executing their plans, targeting four VIPs as well as non-Muslim houses of worship in the Klang Valley when officers from the Counter Terrorism Division (E8) swooped in and nabbed them as soon as the Ramadan month began.