Sri Lankan police engaged in shootout during search of 'suicide vest factory' - UPDATES

RT
Fri, 26 Apr 2019 18:12 UTC

© Reuters/ Dinuka Liyanawatte

A Sri Lankan police officer walks into the motel where the Australian and British-educated suicide bomber had detonated his device inside, in Dehiwala on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka April 26, 2019.

Sri Lankan police searching for suspects connected to the Easter bombings have engaged in a shootout with men during a search operation in the city of Ampara Sainthamaruthu.

The shootout erupted as police attempted to raid a location believed to have been used for the manufacturing of suicide vests, Sri Lankan news outlet News First reports. A police spokesperson said the raid was being conducted by the Army and the Police Special Task Force.

A military spokesperson told Reuters there was an explosion in the area and when soldiers went to investigate, they were fired upon. No details of casualties were immediately available.

Police have been conducting searches across Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the deadly suicide bombings on churches and hotels which killed more than 250 people. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) claimed responsibility for the bombings.

During the search three explosions rocked Kalmunia on Sri Lanka's east coast.

The explosions took place in the city of Kalmunei as raids were carried out by the Army and the Police Special Task Force, Sri Lankan news outlet News First reported. There has been no immediate reports of casualties.

Police have been conducting searches across Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the deadly suicide bombings on churches and hotels which killed more than 250 people. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) claimed responsibility for the bombings.

A shootout earlier erupted nearby as police attempted to raid a location which was believed to have been used for the manufacturing of suicide vests. The searches led to the seizure of explosives and other bomb making materials as well as drones and an IS flag.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers have been deployed across the country carrying out searches and providing security for religious centres, a military spokesperson said. Police have detained more than 70 people including foreign nationals from Syria and Egypt as part of the investigations.

Comment: Southfront adds:

Heavy clashes erupted in the coastal town of Sammanthurai on April 26, when Sri Lanka security forces raided a suspected bomb factory linked to the recent Easter Sunday bombings.

Citing a military spokesman, Sky News reported that an explosion rocked the area and when officers went to investigate they were fired upon. Later more explosions were heard. The Police believe that some of the suspects may have blown themselves up.

Earlier, a joint force of Sri Lanka army, police and Special Task Force (STF) uncovered a hideout in Sammanthurai. Explosive materials, a large amount of fuel, a small drone and an ISIS flag were found there.

Seven suspects, who are believed to be linked to the terrorist attacks, were also apprehended in two separate security operations in the towns of Dharga and Kilinochchi.

More than two hundreds pf civilians were reportedly killed in the bombings, which targeted the St. Anthony's Church in Colombo, St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, the Zion Church in Batticaloa as well as the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury five-star hotels.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks few days later and released a photo of the suicide bombers. Infamous radical scholar, Zahran Hashim, was among the attackers.

Sri Lankan authorities are currently searching for 140 suspects thought to have links with the terror group. It remains unclear how many of these suspects have been arrested so far.

UPDATE - 26/04/19 18:41: From Sputnik

Local media reports, citing police, that the suspects blew themselves up at the beginning of a major gunfight when security personnel, including the military, attempted to raid a location believed to have been used for the manufacture of suicide vests.

Security personnel seized clothing and flags linked to Daesh terror group, 150 gelignite sticks, 100,000 iron balls, drones and at least one suicide vest during a raid in the same locality.

21:05:

The Sri Lankan army reports one civilian dead, three injured in crossfire. The Army hasn't cleared the cordoned off area yet. We have observed two dead bodies suspected to be terrorists. We can confirm one explosion occurred during the shootout", Army spokesman Brigadier Sumith Athapaththu said.

UPDATE 27/04/19: Casualties in Sri Lankan shootout:

A total of 15 bodies, including six children, have been found at the site of a prolonged gun battle between military police and suspected Islamic militants believed to be linked to Sunday's church and hotel bombings in Sri Lanka.

The dead were discovered in a house in Sainthamaruthu as authorities cleared the area on Saturday morning following the overnight shootout, which police and military had earlier said killed four gunmen and a civilian. Fighting broke out on Friday night between the troops and suspected terrorists believed to be connected with the Easter Sunday attacks, which targeted several churches and luxury hotels, killing 253 and injuring hundreds more.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers are searching the country for suspects linked to the bombings, and over 70 individuals have been detained so far.