TERROR RAID DEATHS
Six kids among 15 killed as Sri Lanka jihadis blow themselves up when cops storm ‘suicide vest factory’ linked to Easter massacre
Security forces came under fire as they stormed a bomb factory linked to Easter Sunday's attacks
SIX children were among 15 killed as explosions went off when military police stormed a 'suicide vest factory' connected to the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka.
A raging gun and suicide bomb battle broke out after cop and soldiers raided the jihadists' hideout near the coastal town of Kalmunai - 200 miles from the capital Colombo.
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Authorities said the militants detonated three bombs and opened fire after troops acting on a police tip-off surrounded the house in the area of Sainthamaruthu.
One civilian was killed and police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said at least three others were wounded in the attack.
A young girl caught was taken to hospital after she was caught up in the crossfire.
Military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said after coming under fire, "troops retaliated and raided the safe house where a large cache of explosives had been stored."
He said the militants were suspected members of the domestic Islamist group National Towheed Jama'at (NTJ) - which has been blamed for last Sunday's attacks.
DEADLY HAUL FOUND
Security forces had recovered explosives, detonators, "suicide kits," military uniforms and ISIS flags in the ongoing raids in Eastern Province on this morning.
Officers acting on information from intelligence officials also found 150 sticks of blasting gelatin and 100,000 small metal balls.
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Suicide bomb vests often are packed with such balls to increase the shrapnel in the explosion - making them even deadlier.
A van and clothing suspected to be used by those involved in the Easter attack were also found.
MORE BOMBINGS FEARED
Raids and police curfews shut down areas of eastern Sri Lanka as Catholic leaders cancelled Sunday Masses indefinitely.
The extraordinary move is believed to be the first time the Catholic church had cancelled Masses across a country for security reasons.
Officials also urged Muslims to stay home for prayers amid the fear of more attacks on the besieged island.
Authorities including the country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are warning that militants remain on the loose and have access to explosives.
Since the suicide bombings on churches and hotels - where more than 250 people were killed including eight Britons - security forces have been conducting raids across Sri Lanka.
The government has said nine homegrown, well-educated suicide bombers carried out the Easter Sunday attacks - eight of whom had been identified. One was a woman.
Meanwhile, new footage has emerged of one of the bombers checking into Colombo's Kingsbury Hotel the night before the deadly attacks.
CCTV footage shows him chatting with staff before entering a lift hours before his deadly mission.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Cops are trying to track down 140 people believed linked to ISIS.
Police have detained at least 76 people - including foreigners from Syria and Egypt.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, while Sri Lankan authorities say local jihadi groups with links to ISIS are responsible.
Chilling CCTV shows Sri Lankan suicide bomber checking into five-star hotel
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Sri Lanka security forces discover terrorist nest
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