Police in Bangladesh and Singapore have arrested 13 militants , including eight ISIS members , charging them with plotting attacks and scouting for new recruits . The individuals , all Bangladeshi , were detained in Singapore and were believed to be plotting attacks in their home country with the intent of overthrowing the government . The individuals , who were working in Singapore ’s construction and marine industries , were arrested under the nation - state ’s tough Internal Security Act ( ISA ) last month . Singapore ’s authorities have said that they were planning to head to Syria to join ISIS , but could n’t find a route to their destination . As such , they opted to stay in Singapore , purchase weaponry and other supplies , and seek more recruits . The arrest follows a similar one in January , when Singapore arrested and detained 26 Bangladeshi construction workers . The group then focussed on returning to Bangladesh, it said. They were accused of forming a religious study group , which aimed to spread extremist ideology . It is unclear if the latest detainees were part of the same group .
Police in Bangladesh and Singapore have arrested 13 militants , including eight ISIS members , charging them with plotting attacks and scouting for new recruits . The individuals , all Bangladeshi , were detained in Singapore and were believed to be plotting attacks in their home country with the intent of overthrowing the government . The individuals , who were working in Singapore ’s construction and marine industries , were arrested under the nation - state ’s tough Internal Security Act ( ISA ) last month . Singapore ’s authorities have said that they were planning to head to Syria to join ISIS , but could n’t find a route to their destination . As such , they opted to stay in Singapore , purchase weaponry and other supplies , and seek more recruits . The arrest follows a similar one in January , when Singapore arrested and detained 26 Bangladeshi construction workers . They were accused of forming a religious study group , which aimed to spread extremist ideology . It is unclear if the latest detainees were part of the same group .