UPDATE: Two Gunmen Killed in Retaliatory Attacks

Army troops, together with Police personnel in the general area of Nintavur, Sahindamaradu after shoot out on Friday (26) evening are now conducting clearing operations, having cordoned the entire area as this report was filed around midnight.

Reports confirmed that the troops on intelligence tip-off given by the Police were proceeding towards to check a safe house of suspected terrorists when they triggered three explosions and began firing towards the troops. Troops retaliated and raided the safe house where a large cache of explosives had been stored.

One civilian fell victim and died in the crossfire and 3-4 persons were reportedly injured. At the same time, two of those gunmen with one weapon, suspected to be from an Islamic terrorist organization were killed during the retaliation. Similarly, reports claim that there could be one or more suicide bomber inside the safe house either killed or in hiding. However, troops are unable to storm the place in the dark and due to heavy concentration of civilians’ houses around, according to Major General Aruna Jayasekara, Commander, Security Forces – East.

At the same time, troops at Nintavur detected a brand new unregistered van, suspected to be belonging to the National Towheed Jamat’s leader, Saharan’s brother-in-law, named Niyas. Following detection of two ID cards, initial reports confirmed the said van had been bought in Akkaraipattu on cash on 19 April 2019.

At the moment, Army troops have cordoned the entire area and are conducting clearing operations with the support of sister services, STF and Policemen in affected areas.

Similarly, according to the Military Spokesman, Brigadier Sumith Atapattu, combined troops recovered explosives, detonators, gelignite sticks, acid bottles, det cords, ISIS flags and backdrop, suicide kits, military uniforms, etc from another safe house in Samanthurai area earlier in the evening.

Those dead gunmen are yet to be identified and clearing operations are continuing at the time this report was pasted.Mysneakers | Nike