News
Zahran’s driver arrested; police hope to unravel terror network
Pro-ISIS ring leader and suicide bomber Zahran Cassim’s driver was among those arrested in countrywide security operations launched after Easter Sunday’s terror attacks, police said.
Fifty-three-year-old Muhammad Sharif Adam Lebbe alias Gaffur, said to be the driver of Zahran, was arrested by Kattankudy Police and later handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department.
Police say detectives believe the arrest will help them to unravel the secret terror network and find more answers.
Meanwhile, in Colombo, Police also arrested Colombo Municipal Council’s UNP member Noordeen Muhammed Thajudeen and two others in connection with several swords found in a mosque in Kompannaveediya.
Also taken in yesterday was Negombo’s deputy Mayor Muhammed Anzar who had in his possession a sword and dagger.
In Wellawatte, Navy personnel on patrol intercepted a threewheeler with three individuals and found they were carrying a kilogram of explosives. The suspects and the explosives have been handed over to the police.
In another incident at Erakkandi in Trincomalee, a man was arrested with 53 water-gel explosive sticks and 215 detonators in a search operation carried out by the Navy.
Meanwhile, Police, acting on a tip-off, found a H&K MP-5 Sub- machine gun, pistol magazines, 28 rounds of ammunition used in T-56 rifles and 130 rounds of 9mm ammunition inside the sack buried in a land in Thelwatta, Negombo.
Military spokesman Brig. Sumith Atapattu said the security forces would broaden the countrywide security operation in the coming days. He said nearly 10,000 armed forces personnel, including 7,500 soldiers from the Army, are taking part in the operations.