Meyram Ayubaev was answering questions about the man held for the July 18 shooting of four police and a civilian in Almaty. That incident came within six weeks of attacks that left seven people dead in Aktobe in north-western Kazakhstan, and a separate incident in which a suspect blew himself up during a police raid. Kazakhstan has been less susceptible to Islamic radicalisation than other Central Asian states, but fears that the threat is rising have prompted plans for tighter controls.
More frequent terror attacks would dent foreign investor confidence.
The government's sense of vulnerability will prompt greater security cooperation with Russia, China and regional blocs.
The current National Counter-Terrorism Programme is likely to receive extra funding.
