Chinese authorities have detained a number of people for allegedly spreading online rumors of a possible terrorist attack in the mainland.

Police officials took action following an online rumor making rounds on the Internet about a possible terrorist attack in China, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.

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Five people have been apprehended for spreading false news on the internet about a terrorist attack in China, according to Xinhua news agency. The made up story allegedly involved hacking 11 individuals in an education institution in Shenzhen. The public was left terrified.

The five unidentified suspects have reported expressed regret about their actions.

In a separate incident, Shenzhen officials also detained two senior executives for disseminating hoax stories that 300 Islamic State militants are arriving from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The two executives, with surnames Yin and Ma, posted in their respective Weibo accounts that "Shenzhen police are alert as 300 IS members have arrived." 

Just last week, officials arrested seven people, including a female minor, for spreading online rumors related to terrorism. The suspects are said to have fabricated a story claiming that a group of terrorist invaded and killed several people in Shenzhen.

Officials have stated that they will not string along with pranks that startle or terrify the public. Instead, they expect a more peaceful online environment and see determined endeavors to counter false Internet rumors. "Fabricating and spreading online rumors, especially those about terrorist attacks, damage public order and social harmony," an MPS officer said.

Meanwhile, Chinese lawmakers have promulgated the country's first counter-terrorism law to fight extremism and uphold global safety.

TagsAnti-Terrorism Law, China Anti-Terrorism Law, false internet rumors