In May this year, during a meeting with President Tokayev in Akorda, the chairman of the National Security Committee reported that two terrorist attacks have been prevented, including one abroad together with foreign supporters since the beginning of 2024.

"The first terrorist attack was thwarted in Aktau. This was preceded by thorough operational work. One of the city residents came to attention as an adherent of radical religious ideology. He had a criminal record for committing murder. Under the influence of narratives of foreign militants on the Internet, he intended to carry out a bombing in the building of one of the state authorities. He acquired components to make an improvised explosive device, including flammable and other chemical compounds, as well as damaging elements, such as bolts and nails. During a search of his house, four containers with ready-made explosives and other evidence were found and seized, proving the fact of plotting a terrorist attack,” Ermek Sagimbayev said in an interview.

The second terrorist attack, according to the head of the National Security Committee, was prevented abroad. Operatives of the National Security Committee received initial data about the planned attack.

“The competent bodies of the foreign state were immediately informed. The intelligence was confirmed during the joint inspection, and the attack was prevented. It must be said that terrorism has no borders, therefore intelligence exchange with foreign intelligence services is very important,” said Chairman of the National Security Committee Ermek Sagimbayev. 

 

Sagimbayev also noted in the interview that the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan was actively involved in the activities of the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center, the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure and other platforms. However, as the head of the department indicated, it was too early to say that the threat of terrorism in Kazakhstan has been defeated.

It must be said that terrorism has no borders, therefore intelligence exchange with foreign intelligence services is very important,” recapped Chairman of the National Security Committee Ermek Sagimbayev. 

The full interview with the head of the National Security Committee is available on Kazinform.