Explosions and shooting during RAID in Sri Lanka

After the attacks of Easter Sunday with more than 250 deaths in Sri Lanka, there was a RAID by the police to three explosions and a shootout. The authorities found several explosives in the West. In a residential building in the East of the country on Friday evening when suspected Islamists have been found in addition, materials for making bombs and a drone, the police announced.

The security forces also discovered a flag of the terrorist militia Islamic state (IS) and clothes, which could stem from an alleged claim of responsibility video, the assassin from the Easter Sunday that had the common voice of the IS. Seven young Muslims were arrested.

hours-long shootout

Shortly thereafter, the police officers and soldiers in the vicinity wanted to search another two houses were in one of the buildings three explosions. Subsequently, shots were fired at the forces. It is a two-hour shootout. According to initial Reports, there was at least one injured with gunshot wounds.

Several suspected terrorists have been hiding. The place of action is located not far from the town of Batticaloa, where on Easter Sunday, a Church attacked. The police had previously reported about a new attack plans by Islamists in the island state.

The "Lonely Planet" had declared Sri Lanka finally, the Top travel destination this year. A major international biodiversity conference of the countries of the CITES agreement, which was to be held in may in Sri Lanka, was delayed due to the attacks.

Also Sufis in sight

Sri Lanka police announced that the Islamists wanted to attack, under the leadership of the hate preacher Mohammed Zaharan secret service information, according to the mosques, the Sufi – a current in Islam with mystical traditions.

radical Islamists Sufi-followers look at because of their tolerance of other religions as enemies. The safety precautions on Sufi-mosques have been increased, according to police. Only in a few Islamic houses of worship Friday prayers were held.

leader blew himself up in the air

Zaharan – Zaharan Hashim called – is regarded as a leader of the group National Thowheeth Jamaath, which is made for the attacks of Easter Sunday responsible. He blew himself up, according to the government in one of the Hotels in Colombo in the air.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo had already been warned prior to the attack plans, and reminded to avoid houses of worship from Friday to Sunday. Also, tourist destinations, airports, Hotels, hospitals, Restaurants, markets and other public places could be targets, it said. Schools and universities should only be on 6. May re-open. Although dozens of Suspects in custody were, some were still at large. The police asked the population to information on six Wanted – four men and two women.

warnings ignored

The authorities of the island state had previously been not a good figure. Indian secret services had already been more than two weeks prior to Easter, notes on attack plans, and very specific: you were given the names and known locations of the attack planner as well as the goals and the date of the planned attacks.

Video: terror attacks on Easter Sunday, call 253 Dead terrorist attacks: During the Easter fairs in Sri Lanka has come to a number of explosions in Hotels and Christian churches. (Video: Reuters/AFP/Storyful)

Why the warnings went unheeded, is the big question. Some experts judge that the security forces could not have held such a large plot is simply possible – especially since there had been no significant violence in Sri Lanka is a relatively small minority of Christians.

"I think part of the explanation is that the leadership of the country is currently in turmoil," tweeted Amarnath Amarasingam, a canadian extremism researchers of sri Lankan origin. "Basically, the Prime Minister and the President hate each other."

(fal/sda)

Created: 26.04.2019, 20:10 PM