Seven ‘suicide bombers’ arrested in Sri Lanka

Seven trained suicide bombers identified as followers of the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) Islamist group have been arrested in Sri Lanka, the police said.

The suspects were arrested earlier this week from Hambantotaand are alleged to be close associates of Zahran Hashim — the brain behind theEaster Sunday bombings which killed over 250 people and injured hundreds.

   

The suspects were brought to Hambantota by a brother ofHashim, the Daily Mirror reported on Wednesday.

The April 21 attacks have been blamed by the Sri Lankangovernment on the NTJ, which is believed to have links with the Islamic Statewhich claimed the killings.

The report said that the suspects had been trained “verydiscreetly” in Hambantota over a long period on the use of arms.

Muhamed Nasar Mohamed Asath who blew himself up inside theZion Church in Batticaloa is said to have provided the training instructions,according to the daily.

The suspects will be interrogated about the affairs of theNTJ and their connections to the bomb blasts.

Meanwhile, the police on Wednesday recovered a haul ofswords and knives at a public well, adjacent to R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium inMaligawatte.

At least 46 swords, a pistol and knives were found insidethe well wrapped in a fertilizer bag. During the search, the police had alsorecovered methamphetamine.Police officials believe that following a searchoperation, some individuals might have disposed them off in the well.

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