Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay told the English daily that in 1998, Zainuri’s wife, Rahimah, had woken up in the middle of the night to prepare milk for their child.
Unfortunately for Rahimah, some water had spilled onto the improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which was hidden in the kitchen in their home in Perak and caused it to detonate.
“He was unhurt and before authorities reached his house, he wiped clean any evidence that would suggest that bombs were involved,” Ayob was quoted by the NST as saying.
Zainuri has since married Rahimah’s younger sister, whom he subsequently left behind a couple of years ago to fight alongside Isis in Syria.
Ayob revealed that Zainuri’s “talent” were uncovered by counter-terrorism operatives after “friendly services” with close-links to the Khatibah Nusantara group shared intelligence on conversations Zainuri had with his comrades.
Last week, the former Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM) leader, known for several attempted murders and his involvement in armed bank robberies, announced the militant group’s plan to “lead a charge” against Malaysia.
According to NST , Zainuri said in a newly-released Isis propaganda video that he and his men were part of a “righteous army”, and said that the Malay archipelago would someday be swarming with an army of Isis fighters who would bring the fight home, particularly to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Zainuri, 49, leads the Malay-speaking Isis arm Katibah Nusantara, which is currently fighting in Syria under the Isis banner.
The Isis has declared Malaysia and its people as “taghut” (“sinners” or those against the teachings of Allah) and must be fought, Zainuri said in the video.