Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has arrested a suspect in Colombo linked to the ISIS suspects detained earlier this week in Ahmedabad, India.
Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the 44-year-old suspect was detained and that the suspect is currently being questioned by the TID.
DIG Thalduwa stated that Sri Lankan authorities are working closely with Indian authorities on the investigation, noting that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has appointed a special team, led by a Senior DIG, to probe the incident.
Sri Lanka Police plan to record statements from several individuals in Sri Lanka who are reportedly connected to the arrested suspects.
Four Sri Lankans were arrested in India this week for suspected links to ISIS, following a tip off on alleged terror attacks at the city’s airport and a sports stadium.
The suspects detained by Indian authorities, are 33-year-old Mohammad Nusrat from Periyamulla, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran from Grandpass, 35-year-old Mohammad Farish from Maligawatte and 43-year-old Mohammad Rashdeen from Kotahena.
Among them, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran has been identified as the son of Niyas Naufer, also known as ‘Potta Naufer,’ a notorious criminal sentenced to death for the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya in 2004, as reported by Newsfirst.
Indian media reported that all four suspects were alleged members of the National Thawheed Jamaath, the organisation accused of carrying out the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)
