6 children among 15 killed in gun battle with suspected Islamist militants in Sri Lanka
6 children among 15 killed in gun battle with suspected Islamist militants in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan police today found bodies of 15 people including 6 children and 3 women at a house following a gunfight with suspected Islamist militants. The shootout between security forces and suspected militants began on Friday. It took place in Sainthamaruthu town on the east coast of the island nation. Sainthamaruthu town was one of the sites of the Easter Sunday blasts at three churches and four luxury hotels.
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6 children among 15 killed in gun battle with suspected Islamist militants in Sri Lanka[/caption]
According to media reports, a small child was also caught in the crossfire. He was rushed to a nearby military hospital. According to the statement issued by Military spokesman, Sumith Atapattu, that as troops headed towards the safe house three explosions were triggered and gunfire began. The security forces retaliated and raided the safe house. It recovered a large cache of explosives.
It also recovered bomb-making materials, dozens of gelignite sticks and thousands of metal balls. The government has said nine homegrown, well-educated suicide bombers carried out the Easter Sunday attacks, eight of whom had been identified. One of them was a woman.
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6 children among 15 killed in gun battle with suspected Islamist militants in Sri Lanka[/caption]
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Police told the media that it was trying to track down 140 people linked with Islamic State. It has detained 76 people including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, so far.
-PTC NEWS
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