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Zahran, one of the Shangri-La suicide bombers: DMI

26 April 2019 05:45 pm - 4     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brigadier Chula Kodituwakku said today the suspected mastermind behind the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, Zahran Hashim, was one of the two suicide bombers who exploded themselves at the Shangri-La hotel.

Briefing the media at the President’s House on the investigation into extremist Muslim organisations operating in the country, he said they had done an analysis of photos and CCTV footage and found that the two suicide bombers at Shangri-La hotel were Zahran and Ilham.

Brig. Kodituwakku said the Mawanella incident and an explosion in a motorbike on April 16 were all connected to the suicide bomb attacks and Zahran had come to the Shangri-La on Sunday.

He said Zaharan had broken away from the National Thawheed Jama'at which itself was an extreme organisation and 135 youths from another extremist organisation called the Jamaiyatul Millatu Ibrahim Seylani (JMI) had joined him to form the terror outfit.

He said the JMI comprised of radicalised educated youths from well-to-do families and there had been a debate within it as well as to whether a terror attack should be carried out in Sri Lanka.

The Brigadier said a section of the JMI had been of the view that the time was not right and it was not opportune to carry out an attack in Sri Lanka at the moment but another group had been of the view that an attack should be carried out immediately.

He said the 135 youths from the group that was advocating immediate violent action had joined Zahran.


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  • Voldy Friday, 26 April 2019 09:20 PM

    At least he is blown to bits now. Good riddance.

    Lawry Friday, 26 April 2019 09:50 PM

    A DNA test will be proof

    Pradeepkumar R Friday, 26 April 2019 09:54 PM

    Why the suicide bombers didn't choose May day rally or Vesak. It would have ended in much more tragedy killing more people.If that ts Zahrans objective ..if a radical group to cordinate and plan such an attack they need 5-7 years..how many easters and xmas came within past 7 years..Its pure timing with election..and Politicians had first hand information and kept quiet...All crap

    Abdul Friday, 26 April 2019 10:01 PM

    Sir, by looking at CCTV and photos we cannot be sure that it is him, see what happened who was the bomber at kayawapitiya we were thinking by looking at CCTV and photos he looked the same as sltj guy but not so. We should confirm by other means like DNA etc.. and be sure.


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