Sri Lanka blasts: Two gunmen killed, 13 more bodies discovered
Colombo, Apr 27 (UNI/IBNS): Two gunmen and four suspected suicide bombers were killed when Sri Lankan forces engaged in a gun battle with suspected terrorists in Kalmunai city of Sri Lanka, the military confirmed on Saturday. 13 bodies, including of the two gunmen and of women and children, were recovered.
A military official said following a clearing operation, troops recovered 13 more bodies along with the bodies of the two gunmen, which included three females, six children and four males, from inside the safe house, adding that some of those killed maybe civilians.
"The 15 were found in the morning during clearance operations," official said.
According to CNN, of the 15 people found dead in the house following the raid, six are suspected terrorists and nine are civilians, including six children, Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera said.
The official said that terrorists opened fire when Sri Lankan troops were attempting to raid a safe house used by terrorists affiliated to Islamic terrorist organisation, adding that some suicide bombers later blew themselves up inside the safe house.
Search operations are ongoing to see if more suspected terrorists are hiding in the surrounding areas and the entire area remains cordoned off.
The CNN report quoting authorities said they seized a large cache of explosives, 100,000 ball bearings and ISIS uniforms and flags from the house, which appeared to be a bomb making factory or storage facility.
A curfew is still in place in Kalmunai city and its surrounding areas after it was imposed on Friday night.
According to the reports, army troops had found printed materials and flags of the Islamic State terror group, which claimed its responsibility for the deadly Easter Sunday attacks, at a place which is believed to be the organisation's site for oath-taking.
Additionally, the security forces had reportedly recovered explosives, detonators, IS flags and other equipment at a purported safe house in the Samanthurai area.
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