15 killed in a Shootout in Sri Lanka
On 26th April 2019, extremists struck again, and began a shootout in Sri Lanka. Many people, including children, have died. All religious institutions have been asked to close their doors until the si
The shootout took place yesterday evening 26th April between troops and Islamic militants. Sumith Atapattu, who is the military spokesman said that as the Sri Lankan army troops went towards the safehouse- were the suspects were hiding, there were three explosions, and the gunfire began. This was in Sainthamaruthu in Ampara which is to the south of Batticaloa which was the site of one of the Easter Sunday blasts.
He said that these suspects could be members of the domestic Islamist group, National Towheed Jama’at (NTJ), who had also taken responsibilty for last Sundays church blasts.
A child who was caught in the crossfire has been admitted to hospital. In another house in the same area, different bomb making materials were found by the military. The government has said that nine of the suicide bombers of Sundays attacks were Sri Lankan locals. Out of these 9, 8 have been identified, one of which, is a woman
On Friday 26th April the police said that they were trying to track down 140 people, whom they believe, have links with the Islamic State. The police have detained about 76 people, which includes foreigners from Syria and Egypt. In the fear of more attacks, Muslims in Sri Lanka were encouraged to pray at home on Friday after the State Intelligence Services warned of possible more attacks.
About 10,000 soldiers were posted across Sri Lanka, to carry out searches, and provide security to religious centers. The Sri Lankan government has banned people from covering their face in public.The government has clarified that they are in no way targeting the “Niqab” or “Burqa”.
