KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 — Malaysian militants are still zealous about fighting in Iraq and Syria despite the losses faced by the terror network there, according to Bukit Aman’s counter-terrorism division.

Its director Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Ayub Khan Mydin Pitchay said intelligence reports indicate Malaysian IS fighters are deeply embedded in Mosul, northern Iraq and Dafiq, Syria and have shown no inclination to return home, The Star daily reported today.

"Unlike the European militants, Malaysian fighters are deeply entrenched with the IS. There is no indication that they are heading back.

"In fact, more Malaysian IS cells have indicated their desire to go to Iraq and Syria," he was quoted saying.

As an example, Ayub cited the widow of Amirul Ahmad Rahim who remarried an Egyptian fighter in Syria after her husband was reportedly killed in a suicide bomb attack in January.

Amirul, 26, was said to have gone to Syria in October two years.

Ayub also said Malaysian militants are still active in Katibah Nusantara, the Malay-speaking wing of the extremist fighters in Syria formed in 2014 which also include nationals from Indonesia.

"Six Malaysians joined Katibah but two of them have since been killed while fighting against the Syria army.

Ayub added that other notable Malaysian militants have been identified as leaders issuing orders to local IS cells, naming them as Mohd Rafi Udin, Zainuri Kamaruddin and Mohamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi.

"There are more groups and terror cells pledging allegiance to the terror group in Philippines, southern Thailand, Indonesia and even in our country.

"These groups are well funded. A cell in Jakarta planning to bomb the Myanmar Embassy, was in possession of explosives more powerful than the ones used in the Bali bombing," Ayub was quoted saying.

However, Ayub said the police have already thwarted at least 14 planned terrorist attacks in Malaysia.