Two-pronged attack called for in "terrorism" fight

SINGAPORE (AFP) - Community engagement must be combined with security measures in a two-pronged attack to defeat violent extremism, regional defence ministers agreed Saturday.

Singapore's defence ministry said 19 ministers and ministerial representatives agreed on the strategy during a lunch in conjunction with the annual Shangri-La Dialogue which involves top defence and military officials, diplomats and security analysts.

"The ministers agreed that we needed to continue with the fight against terrorism, and recognised that a two-pronged strategy was necessary to combat terrorism more effectively," the statement said.

"The first prong of comprehensive security measures was needed to neutralise, deter and respond to terrorist threats. The second prong, in the form of community building and engagement, was needed to win the ideological battle against violence and extremism."

Southeast Asia has seen a number of extremist attacks in recent years, including bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali in 2002 and 2005, where hundreds were killed.