Nine Terrorist Attacks Prevented in Kazakhstan in 2016

Nine terrorist attacks was prevented in Kazakhstan since the start of 2016, a deputy chairman of the Kazakh National Security Committee (NSC) said Thursday.

ASTANA (Sputnik) — The Kazakh security forces have prevented nine terrorist attacks in the country since the start of 2016, a deputy chairman of the Kazakh National Security Committee (NSC) said Thursday.

"A total of 64 violent extremist acts have been prevented at early stages of preparation and disrupted since 2011, including nine such cases this year. Terrorist attacks in crowded areas, as well as attacks on facilities and employees of the law enforcement and special state bodies have been prevented," Nurgaly Bilisbekov said at a round table devoted to the security situation in Kazakhstan.

According to Bilisbekov, over the last five years, 445 people have been arrested and charged with terrorism-related crimes in Kazakhstan, including 25 people in 2016.

Over 550 Kazakh nationals, recruited by terrorist organizations, have been prevented by the NSC from leaving the country to join militants since 2011, according to the NSC official.