The mastermind behind the attack on three foreigners in the capital’s suburban district last week is under police custody, says Home Minister Imran Abdulla.

The minister revealed this during an interview to the state media, adding that the group behind the attack had plans to carry out a wide range of terrorist attacks directed towards tourists and foreigners.

However, Imran said that they were unable to carry out as planned due to “strong measures enforced by security forces especially the police.”

Further noting that other suspects have also been taken into custody in relation to this case, the home minister praised the police for the “quick action” taken following the attack.

The three foreigners -one Australian worker and two Chinese; a tourist and worker- were stabbed on 4th February, and a video where a group of men -with their faces covered- are taking responsibility for the attack, was shared online; these men claim to be affiliated with the terrorist group, Islamic State.

While the police had revealed that they are investigating this video, Imran said that they have made “great progress”.

Noting that the purpose of the video was to create fear, he assured that they “will not be able follow through with their plans.”

Last December, police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed revealed that there are over 1,400 Maldivians all over the country with extremist ideologies who are "willing to kill" at the slightest provocation.

In October 2019, authorities arrested a 35-year-old man was arrested over Jihadists recruitment; the was identified in the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") terrorist list.