Sri Lanka attacks: 15 dead in HORROR raid as police find 'suicide vest factory’
An attempted raid in Sri Lanka has resulted in the deaths of 15 people yesterday, local police have now confirmed.
Explosions and subsequent shootout occurred when a Special Task Force attempted to investigate a house where suspected terrorists were based. The raid took place in Sainthamarudu in Kalmunai at a reported suicide vest factory. Unfortunately, officials confirmed that six children were killed in the attack.
The location is thought to have been used to manufacture the explosive vest used for the Easter Sunday attacks.
On investigating the building, officials found Islamic State uniforms, metal balls and a drone camera.
Military spokesman Sumith Atapattu, revealed that three explosions were triggered when soldiers approached the house.
The spokesman also confirmed that the suspected terrorists were among the 15 fatalities.
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Mr Atapattu added: "Troops retaliated and raided the safe house where a large cache of explosives had been stored."
According to Mr Atapattu the suspects were part of the National Towheed Jama'at group who have been accused of the attack.
The attempted raid comes just six days after the horrific Easter Sunday attack which killed more than 250 people.
Within the deceased, eight were British nationals.
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The Sri Lankan government has confirmed that the terrorists were all Sri Lankan and came from well-educated backgrounds.
Police announced on Friday that they were tracking 140 people whom they believed have links with the Islamic State.
Police have detained at least 76 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt as they continue their investigation.
The US embassy in Sri Lanka has recently urged its citizens to avoid places of worship over the coming weekend after authorities reported there could be future attacks.