'They appeared to be a normal family': Zahran’s father-in-law Abdul speaks

Mohammed Hussein Abdul Cader, 54, has identified himself as the father-in-law of National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) leader Mohammed Cassim Mohod Zahran.

His daughter, Abdul Cader Fathima Zadiya, was injured in the gun battle and suicide blasts in Sainthamaruthu, near Kalmunai, when security forces clashed with the group recently.

"I learnt that Fathima and some others were involved in the suicide blasts in Kalmunai the other day. After the explosions, intelligence officers came to my house and showed me their photos. I identified them as my daughter and granddaughter. My son-in-law is Mohammed Cassim Mohod Zahran" he said.

Zahran, the Shangri-La bomber, led the team of suicide bombers who attacked churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.

His wife Fathima and their daughter are being treated for injuries at the Ampara Hospital, security forces said. Speaking further, Abdul Cader said: "My wife's younger sister is in Kathankudy. One day a youth visited our house with her husband. He was introduced as my brother-in-law's friend. He saw my daughter and asked to be married to her. Since my daughter was born in 1995, I said I'll consider when she's old enough."

According to the father, Zahran had visited their home several times and had said he was studying in an Arabic mosque.

"When my daughter was 15-years-old I gave her in marriage to Zahran," Abdul said, adding that they had visited Zahran's family as well. "He had two younger brothers and two younger sisters, and they appeared to be a very normal family," he said. (Dhammika Balasuriya)