Sri Lanka Easter attack was targeted towards Indians, says PSC report

Report from Sri Lanka’s Parliament Select Committee (PSC) has made a shocking revelation that Indian High Commission and a hotel frequented by Indians were one of the targets of the Easter bombing of April 21 that killed more than 250 people including 40 foreigners. The reports said, “intelligence information received indicated that the Indian High Commission was to be one of the potential targets." The report has also blamed the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena for undermining the national security and failing to prevent the Easter attack, as the intelligence agencies had prior information on a possible terror attack.

READ: Easter bombings in Sri Lanka likely to be NIA's first case post amendment of Act

'Intelligence agencies were aware of the potential terror attack'

Excerpts from the reports say, “Testimony received by the PSC demonstrates that intelligence teams were aware of the potential threats by Zahran, his associates and the NTJ (National Thowheed Jamaat) prior to the Easter bombings. Testimony also indicates to several intelligence agencies being aware of increasing extremism in Sri Lanka and the role of Zahran and his associates in this regard.”

The report also slammed President Maithripala Sirisena for failing in "numerous occasions to give leadership" and "actively undermined government and systems having ad hoc NSC meeting and leaving out key individuals from meetings" 

WATCH: 'I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again,' PM Modi's message as he pays tribute to victims of Easter bombings at St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo

The Easter Bombing attack 

On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, suicide terrorist bombings that took place in three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka killed around 277 people (including 8 suicide bombers) and wounded more than 400 people as per the information in the report. At least 40 foreign nationals and at least 45 children were reported to be among the dead. Investigators identified Zahran Hashim, the founder of the National Thowheed Jamaath, as the mastermind behind the execution of these coordinated attacks. Subsequent to the attacks, incidents of ethnic violence and tension targeting the Muslim community occurred in several parts of the country. 

Ahead of the Easter bombings, An explosion took place in Palamunai, Kaththankudy, on the night of April 16, where a two-wheeler (actually a Scooty) was destroyed. Subsequent investigations revealed that this was a dry run to test timers and detonators.

READ | Up to 200 children in Sri Lanka lost family members in Easter bombings: report

READ | Sri Lanka now safe, all extremists linked to Easter bombings killed or arrested: Security authorities

(With inputs from Agencies)