While Sri Lanka Easter suicide attacks mastermind <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/zahran-hashim-radical-islamist-linked-to-sri-lanka-blasts-213606">Zahran Hashim</a> used social media to publicly call for the death of non-Muslims, he worked for months in private chatrooms to persuade six young <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-photos-of-suspects-of-church-hotel-bombing-that-killed-nearly-250-213584">men to sacrifice themselves</a>, Muslim community leaders say.

Christians and foreign tourists were badly hit in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/us-warns-of-more-attacks-in-sri-lanka-by-active-members-of-terror-group-still-at-large-214821">attacks on three churches and three hotels</a> that killed 257 people, but Sri Lanka's Muslim community has also been badly scarred and has been looking into the backgrounds of Hashim and his jihadist acolytes.

Hashim, who died in an attack on the Shangri-La hotel on April 21, inspired wealthy brothers Ilham Ibrahim and Inshaf Ibrahim to join and bankroll his assault, police and fellow Muslims said.

"We suspect the two brothers used their money from the spice business to finance the bombings," one police investigator said.

"It seems the indoctrination was via the internet -- Facebook and YouTube."

Neighbours of the Ibrahim brothers said they were secretive but devout Muslims. They were not active members of a congregation, community leaders said.

"We believe Zahran radicalised these people using Facebook," said R. Abdul Razik, a leader of the moderate Ceylon Thowheed Jama'ath (CTJ) group.

"Especially in the past year, he has been openly calling for the killing of non-Muslims."

Investigators and community leaders believe the group also used social media private messenges to keep in touch without being noticed by the authorities.

Warnings failed

The CTJ and the main body of Islamic clerics, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, had alerted Sri Lanka's security establishment to Hashim and his acolytes, but said their warnings failed to get serious attention.

The Sri Lankan government has already acknowledged that foreign intelligence warnings about the attacks were not passed on to ministers.

"We asked the intelligence agencies to take down the Facebook page of Zahran because he was polluting the minds of Sri Lankan Muslims," Razik said.

"We were told it is better to allow him to have the page so that the authorities could keep an eye on what he was doing."

Another moderate Islamic group, the Sri Lanka Thowheed Jama'ath (SLTJ) said it called a press conference in 2017 to warn authorities about Hashim, but no action was taken.

"Zahran indoctrinated people using social media. He was spewing an IS brand of propaganda that somehow appealed to the bombers," SLTJ spokesman Thawseef Ahamed told AFP.

A fuller reckoning of those involved in the attacks was only released by authorities this week, revealing at least two sets of brothers.

Ilham Ibrahim died at the Shangri-La hotel while his brother Inshaf Ibrahim bombed the Cinnamon Grand.

Ringleader Hashim also died at the Shangri-la, while his yet-to-be named brother blew himself up when surrounded on April 26 near the eastern coastal town of Kalmunai. He was with three widows of the Easter bombers when police and troops laid siege to the house.&nbsp;

Sixteen people were killed there, including six children, relatives of Hashim, and members of his National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) movement, which has since been banned.

Killed children

The pregnant wife of Ilham Ibrahim, Fathima Ilham, blew herself up when police raided the family home in Colombo hours after the bombings. She also killed her two children and three police officers.

Mohamed Azzam Mubarak Mohamed has been named as the bomber who targeted the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo. His wife is now in police custody.

A fourth hotel was on the bombers' list. The would-be attacker, Abdul Latheef, failed to set off his explosives. He detonated it a few hours later at a small motel, killing himself and two other people.

Latheef studied aeronautical engineering at Kingston University in Britain and did post-graduate studies in Melbourne, Australia. Australian media said he was under investigation in 2014 by the country's counter-terrorism unit and may have travelled to Syria.

He also came into contact with Hashim through Facebook posts and Youtube videos. &nbsp;

The men who bombed the three churches have been named as Ahmed Muaz, Mohamed Hasthun and Mohamed Nasser Mohamed Asad. The three were hardly known within their communities, according to Muslim leaders.

While Sri Lanka Easter suicide attacks mastermind Zahran Hashim used social media to publicly call for the death of non-Muslims, he worked for months in private chatrooms to persuade six young men to sacrifice themselves, Muslim community leaders say.

While Sri Lanka Easter suicide attacks mastermind Zahran Hashim used social media to publicly call for the death of non-Muslims, he worked for months in private chatrooms to persuade six young men to sacrifice themselves, Muslim community leaders say. Christians and foreign tourists were badly hit in the attacks on three churches and three hotels that killed 257 people, but Sri Lanka's Muslim community has also been badly scarred and has been looking into the backgrounds of Hashim and his jihadist acolytes. Hashim, who died in an attack on the Shangri-La hotel on April 21, inspired wealthy brothers Ilham Ibrahim and Inshaf Ibrahim to join and bankroll his assault, police and fellow Muslims said. "We suspect the two brothers used their money from the spice business to finance the bombings," one police investigator said. "It seems the indoctrination was via the internet -- Facebook and YouTube." Neighbours of the Ibrahim brothers said they were secretive but devout Muslims. They were not active members of a congregation, community leaders said. "We believe Zahran radicalised these people using Facebook," said R. Abdul Razik, a leader of the moderate Ceylon Thowheed Jama'ath (CTJ) group. "Especially in the past year, he has been openly calling for the killing of non-Muslims." Investigators and community leaders believe the group also used social media private messenges to keep in touch without being noticed by the authorities. Warnings failed The CTJ and the main body of Islamic clerics, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, had alerted Sri Lanka's security establishment to Hashim and his acolytes, but said their warnings failed to get serious attention. The Sri Lankan government has already acknowledged that foreign intelligence warnings about the attacks were not passed on to ministers. "We asked the intelligence agencies to take down the Facebook page of Zahran because he was polluting the minds of Sri Lankan Muslims," Razik said. "We were told it is better to allow him to have the page so that the authorities could keep an eye on what he was doing." Another moderate Islamic group, the Sri Lanka Thowheed Jama'ath (SLTJ) said it called a press conference in 2017 to warn authorities about Hashim, but no action was taken. "Zahran indoctrinated people using social media. He was spewing an IS brand of propaganda that somehow appealed to the bombers," SLTJ spokesman Thawseef Ahamed told AFP. A fuller reckoning of those involved in the attacks was only released by authorities this week, revealing at least two sets of brothers. Ilham Ibrahim died at the Shangri-La hotel while his brother Inshaf Ibrahim bombed the Cinnamon Grand. Ringleader Hashim also died at the Shangri-la, while his yet-to-be named brother blew himself up when surrounded on April 26 near the eastern coastal town of Kalmunai. He was with three widows of the Easter bombers when police and troops laid siege to the house. Sixteen people were killed there, including six children, relatives of Hashim, and members of his National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) movement, which has since been banned. Killed children The pregnant wife of Ilham Ibrahim, Fathima Ilham, blew herself up when police raided the family home in Colombo hours after the bombings. She also killed her two children and three police officers. Mohamed Azzam Mubarak Mohamed has been named as the bomber who targeted the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo. His wife is now in police custody. A fourth hotel was on the bombers' list. The would-be attacker, Abdul Latheef, failed to set off his explosives. He detonated it a few hours later at a small motel, killing himself and two other people. Latheef studied aeronautical engineering at Kingston University in Britain and did post-graduate studies in Melbourne, Australia. Australian media said he was under investigation in 2014 by the country's counter-terrorism unit and may have travelled to Syria. He also came into contact with Hashim through Facebook posts and Youtube videos. The men who bombed the three churches have been named as Ahmed Muaz, Mohamed Hasthun and Mohamed Nasser Mohamed Asad. The three were hardly known within their communities, according to Muslim leaders.

Sri Lanka attack mastermind used chatrooms to sway suicide bombers

Sri Lanka plans to reopen schools next week, the education minister said on Thursday, two weeks after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/father-two-brothers-of-sri-lanka-suicide-bombings-mastermind-killed-in-gun-battle-214078">deadly bomb attacks on Easter Sunday</a>.

The 9,000 public schools across the nation will open on May 6 with stringent security measures, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a news conference. Adding that the decision was made after consultation with the security services.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-roman-catholic-church-cancels-sunday-mass-over-bomb-attack-fear-215315">Sri Lanka's Roman Catholic Church cancels Sunday mass over bomb attack fear</a>

The ministry however said Catholic schools might not be opened on the same time due to ongoing security warnings.

Security forces said they were maintaining a high level of alert amid intelligence reports that the militants were likely to strike before the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is due to begin on Monday the same day that schools reopen.

Sri Lanka plans to reopen schools next week, the education minister said on Thursday, two weeks after the deadly bomb attacks on Easter Sunday. The 9,000 public schools across the nation will open on May 6 with stringent security measures, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a news conference.

Sri Lanka plans to reopen schools next week, the education minister said on Thursday, two weeks after the deadly bomb attacks on Easter Sunday. The 9,000 public schools across the nation will open on May 6 with stringent security measures, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a news conference. Adding that the decision was made after consultation with the security services. Also read: Sri Lanka's Roman Catholic Church cancels Sunday mass over bomb attack fear The ministry however said Catholic schools might not be opened on the same time due to ongoing security warnings. Security forces said they were maintaining a high level of alert amid intelligence reports that the militants were likely to strike before the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is due to begin on Monday the same day that schools reopen.

Sri Lanka aims to reopen schools next week amid tensions

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-plotters-planning-more-attacks-us-ambassador-teplitz-214704">US has warned that the terrorist threat in Sri Lanka </a>still remains as active members of the group that carried out the massive suicide attacks on Easter Sunday may still be at large, a media report said Tuesday.&nbsp;

The US Embassy here has said that at the request of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-governments-lifts-ban-on-social-media-platforms-214678">Sri Lankan Government</a>, US security experts were working closely with their Sri Lankan partners on "fulfilling short term, specific objectives" related to the recent attacks and to bringing the perpetrators to justice.&nbsp;

Nancy VanHorn, the spokesperson at the US Embassy in Colombo said that the US believes active members of the attack group that carried out the terror attacks on Easter Sunday may still be at large.

"As the (US) Ambassador (Alaina Teplitz) has previously stated and as reflected in our travel advisory, the terrorist threat is ongoing," the spokesperson told the Colombo Gazette.

Sri Lankan authorities said they believed a little-known local militant Islamist group known as National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) was behind the attack that killed 253 people and injured nearly 500 more. However, the NTJ has not claimed responsibility for the attacks, Sri Lanka's worst.

On Tuesday, the Islamic State terror group said it had carried out the attacks, and released video of men it says were the bombers, pledging allegiance to the group.

The attackers targetted three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels.

Ambassador Teplitz has said the attacks are the work of a few individuals and not of an entire community.

As Sri Lanka looks to the future and to implementing changes in security and communications procedures to prevent future atrocities, the US stands ready to assist with lessons learned from our own past tragedies and through our ongoing cooperation with local authorities, the embassy has said.

"These terrible attacks are the work of a few individuals and not of an entire community. Sri Lankans of all backgrounds and faiths have come together to condemn these atrocities. Unity is the most powerful answer to terrorism," the ambassador said recently.

Teplitz further underscored that "while we work together to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice, we must remain vigilant in defending the democratic ideals that form the pillars of a strong society.&nbsp;

"And we must do so without destroying communities of peaceful, innocent people who share the faith of the attackers, but not their warped ideology," she said.&nbsp;

"We must always respect the wonderful diversity of Sri Lanka and fortify the culture of unity that the country needs to thrive," she said.&nbsp;

On April 26, the Department of State ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Department also authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members from Sri Lanka.

"Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka," the State Department said, adding that terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist spots, religious places other public areas.&nbsp;

According to Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, one American national, two people holding US and UK nationalities were among 42 foriegn nationals killed in the Easter Sunday attack.

The US has warned that the terrorist threat in Sri Lanka still remains as active members of the group that carried out the massive suicide attacks on Easter Sunday may still be at large, a media report said Tuesday.

The US has warned that the terrorist threat in Sri Lanka still remains as active members of the group that carried out the massive suicide attacks on Easter Sunday may still be at large, a media report said Tuesday. The US Embassy here has said that at the request of the Sri Lankan Government, US security experts were working closely with their Sri Lankan partners on "fulfilling short term, specific objectives" related to the recent attacks and to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Nancy VanHorn, the spokesperson at the US Embassy in Colombo said that the US believes active members of the attack group that carried out the terror attacks on Easter Sunday may still be at large. "As the (US) Ambassador (Alaina Teplitz) has previously stated and as reflected in our travel advisory, the terrorist threat is ongoing," the spokesperson told the Colombo Gazette. Sri Lankan authorities said they believed a little-known local militant Islamist group known as National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) was behind the attack that killed 253 people and injured nearly 500 more. However, the NTJ has not claimed responsibility for the attacks, Sri Lanka's worst. On Tuesday, the Islamic State terror group said it had carried out the attacks, and released video of men it says were the bombers, pledging allegiance to the group. The attackers targetted three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels. Ambassador Teplitz has said the attacks are the work of a few individuals and not of an entire community. As Sri Lanka looks to the future and to implementing changes in security and communications procedures to prevent future atrocities, the US stands ready to assist with lessons learned from our own past tragedies and through our ongoing cooperation with local authorities, the embassy has said. "These terrible attacks are the work of a few individuals and not of an entire community. Sri Lankans of all backgrounds and faiths have come together to condemn these atrocities. Unity is the most powerful answer to terrorism," the ambassador said recently. Teplitz further underscored that "while we work together to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice, we must remain vigilant in defending the democratic ideals that form the pillars of a strong society. "And we must do so without destroying communities of peaceful, innocent people who share the faith of the attackers, but not their warped ideology," she said. "We must always respect the wonderful diversity of Sri Lanka and fortify the culture of unity that the country needs to thrive," she said. On April 26, the Department of State ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Department also authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members from Sri Lanka. "Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka," the State Department said, adding that terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist spots, religious places other public areas. According to Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, one American national, two people holding US and UK nationalities were among 42 foriegn nationals killed in the Easter Sunday attack.

US warns of more attacks in Sri Lanka by active members of terror group still at large

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-governments-lifts-ban-on-social-media-platforms-214678">Sri Lankan</a> police on Tuesday announced that three suspects were arrested along with a van connected to the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-is-inspired-local-suicide-bombers-carried-out-strikes-in-sri-lanka-213502"> devastating Easter Sunday bombings</a> from the country's North Central Province.

The suspicious van was wanted over the terror attacks and was taken into custody at Sungavila in Polonnaruwa town, Ruwan Gunasekara, police spokesperson, said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/global-terrorism-has-entered-sri-lanka-pm-wickremesinghe-tells-wion-214733">Global terrorism has entered Sri Lanka, PM Wickremesinghe tells WION</a>

They said the van which bears the licence plate 'EP PX 2399' was taken into custody along with the three suspects.

The van was parked in the garden of a home in the area and further investigations are being carried out.

Last week, Sri Lanka placed all police stations in Colombo on high alert as police were hunting for an unidentified container truck and a van, believed to be carrying explosives.

A warning was issued by the Director of Security at the Colombo Harbour said intelligence had found information that an unidentified container truck and a van carrying a potential explosive device was heading towards Colombo.

A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts.

Powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring more than 500 others.

The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan police on Tuesday announced that three suspects were arrested along with a van connected to the devastating Easter Sunday bombings from the country's North Central Province.

The Sri Lankan police on Tuesday announced that three suspects were arrested along with a van connected to the devastating Easter Sunday bombings from the country's North Central Province. The suspicious van was wanted over the terror attacks and was taken into custody at Sungavila in Polonnaruwa town, Ruwan Gunasekara, police spokesperson, said. Also read: Global terrorism has entered Sri Lanka, PM Wickremesinghe tells WION They said the van which bears the licence plate 'EP PX 2399' was taken into custody along with the three suspects. The van was parked in the garden of a home in the area and further investigations are being carried out. Last week, Sri Lanka placed all police stations in Colombo on high alert as police were hunting for an unidentified container truck and a van, believed to be carrying explosives. A warning was issued by the Director of Security at the Colombo Harbour said intelligence had found information that an unidentified container truck and a van carrying a potential explosive device was heading towards Colombo. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. Powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring more than 500 others. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks.

Sri Lanka attacks: Three suspects arrested, van seized

An alleged follower of Sri Lankan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/zahran-hashim-radical-islamist-linked-to-sri-lanka-blasts-213606">bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim </a>was set to appear before an Indian court Tuesday after admitting he wanted to carry out an attack in India, investigators said.

India has been concerned about Islamist extremists on its soil for some time and the April 21 Sri Lanka bombings that killed 253 people has left authorities alarmed that India might be at risk of a jihadist attack.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-plotters-planning-more-attacks-us-ambassador-teplitz-214704">Sri Lanka plotters planning more attacks: US ambassador Teplitz</a>

The Indian national, identified as Riyas A, alias Riyas Aboobacker, 29, was arrested on Monday by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), which handles counter-terrorism cases.

During interrogation, he "disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka for more than a year", an NIA statement said.

"He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala," a southern Indian state, it added.

Hashim was a Sri Lankan Muslim preacher who led the coordinated Easter Sunday suicide attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, in one of the world's deadliest terrorist attacks.

Military sources have said Hashim was not known to have visited Syria or Iraq, but travelled to India's Tamil Nadu state, which borders Kerala, and had been in contact with Islamists there.

Hashim also appeared in a video released by the Islamic State group, showing him leading others in pledging allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.&nbsp;

IS has claimed responsibility for the Sri Lanka attacks.

India had warned Sri Lanka that suicide attacks were possible weeks before.

The NIA said that it arrested Riyas "for conspiring to commit a terrorist act" in connection with a 2016 case against an Indian man wanted, along with others, for leaving India to join IS abroad.

Riyas had allegedly been in online contact with that suspect, Abdul Rashid Abdulla, alias Abu Isa, and followed his online audio posts including one "instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India", NIA said.

IS in India?

Aboobacker's arrest comes at a time when New Delhi is already anxious about the footprint of IS in the Hindu-majority country.

Indian authorities have already arrested several people allegedly inspired by radical Islamist ideology in recent months.

In 2016 the NIA launched an investigation into the disappearance of 15 young Indians thought to have left to join IS in Afghanistan and Syria.

Pockets of southern India have since been on the radar of Indian investigators concerned over growing radicalism.&nbsp;

Kabir Taneja, associate fellow with New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, said that the danger of attacks may have increased since the collapse of IS's "caliphate" across swathes of Iraq and Syria.

"I think some level of nervousness is expected, and it's good," Taneja told AFP.

"Until now the attraction was to travel to the caliphate. What Sri Lanka might do is push for radicalised people to commit attacks at home," he added.

The NIA recently announced that it had arrested an operative in an IS-inspired group that allegedly planned attacks in and around New Delhi.

The arrest was soon followed by raids in three different parts of Kerala as part of a separate, ongoing investigation into three people suspected of links with the people who left India to join IS.

The NIA said that its raids had recovered mobile phones, memory cards, diaries with handwritten notes and DVDs, and books of the banned Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

 
&nbsp;

An alleged follower of Sri Lankan bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim was set to appear before an Indian court Tuesday after admitting he wanted to carry out an attack in India, investigators said.

An alleged follower of Sri Lankan bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim was set to appear before an Indian court Tuesday after admitting he wanted to carry out an attack in India, investigators said. India has been concerned about Islamist extremists on its soil for some time and the April 21 Sri Lanka bombings that killed 253 people has left authorities alarmed that India might be at risk of a jihadist attack. Also read: Sri Lanka plotters planning more attacks: US ambassador Teplitz The Indian national, identified as Riyas A, alias Riyas Aboobacker, 29, was arrested on Monday by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), which handles counter-terrorism cases. During interrogation, he "disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka for more than a year", an NIA statement said. "He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala," a southern Indian state, it added. Hashim was a Sri Lankan Muslim preacher who led the coordinated Easter Sunday suicide attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, in one of the world's deadliest terrorist attacks. Military sources have said Hashim was not known to have visited Syria or Iraq, but travelled to India's Tamil Nadu state, which borders Kerala, and had been in contact with Islamists there. Hashim also appeared in a video released by the Islamic State group, showing him leading others in pledging allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. IS has claimed responsibility for the Sri Lanka attacks. India had warned Sri Lanka that suicide attacks were possible weeks before. The NIA said that it arrested Riyas "for conspiring to commit a terrorist act" in connection with a 2016 case against an Indian man wanted, along with others, for leaving India to join IS abroad. Riyas had allegedly been in online contact with that suspect, Abdul Rashid Abdulla, alias Abu Isa, and followed his online audio posts including one "instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India", NIA said. IS in India? Aboobacker's arrest comes at a time when New Delhi is already anxious about the footprint of IS in the Hindu-majority country. Indian authorities have already arrested several people allegedly inspired by radical Islamist ideology in recent months. In 2016 the NIA launched an investigation into the disappearance of 15 young Indians thought to have left to join IS in Afghanistan and Syria. Pockets of southern India have since been on the radar of Indian investigators concerned over growing radicalism. Kabir Taneja, associate fellow with New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, said that the danger of attacks may have increased since the collapse of IS's "caliphate" across swathes of Iraq and Syria. "I think some level of nervousness is expected, and it's good," Taneja told AFP. "Until now the attraction was to travel to the caliphate. What Sri Lanka might do is push for radicalised people to commit attacks at home," he added. The NIA recently announced that it had arrested an operative in an IS-inspired group that allegedly planned attacks in and around New Delhi. The arrest was soon followed by raids in three different parts of Kerala as part of a separate, ongoing investigation into three people suspected of links with the people who left India to join IS. The NIA said that its raids had recovered mobile phones, memory cards, diaries with handwritten notes and DVDs, and books of the banned Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

Follower of Sri Lanka bomber sought India attack: Police

Sri Lanka's ousted defence secretary<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-terror-attacks-defence-secretary-hemasiri-fernando-quits-213465"> Hemasiri Fernando</a> Friday claimed that he had to quit to "protect" his political bosses while asserting that he followed the standard procedures while dealing with advance intelligence inputs on the deadly Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Amidst public outcry over the massive intelligence failure to avert the suicide attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday sought the resignation of Fernando as well as the Inspector General of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-police-chief-resigns-over-bombings-sirisena-213620">Police Pujith Jayasundara</a>.&nbsp;

While Fernando quit on Thursday, Jayasundara tendered his resignation on Friday.

Sirisena said the intelligence supplied by a friendly nation was not shared with him by senior officials. "All they have done was to exchange letters among themselves," he said.

"I asked both police chief and defence secretary why the information was not shared with me, they remained silent," he said.

But in a statement prior to tendering his resignation, Fernando said he had forwarded all intelligence information regarding the Easter Sunday attacks to the relevant institutions for action following the standard procedures.

He claimed that all advice and orders had also been given and at a time when there was no Emergency or any other special situation enforced in the country, the entire responsibility was with the police, which had conducted arrests and search operations.

While Fernando came under fire over the Easter Sunday attacks, he had confided in several media heads that he had in fact immediately notified the relevant political authorities regarding the intelligence warning, the Sri Lanka Mirror reported.&nbsp;

However he said that in order to "protect these political authorities he would have to resign from his post", the report said.

Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday.&nbsp;

The Islamic State group has claimed the attacks, but the Sri Lankan government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) for the bombings that killed 253 people, including 11 Indians.

In his statement, Fernando noted that President Sirisena has appointed a special committee to inquire if the security establishments had flouted their responsibility while the Defence Ministry is also conducting an independent inquiry into the matter.

After Fernando handing in his resignation to the Presidential Secretariat, senior administrative officer Thusitha Wanigasinghe was appointed as the Acting Defence Secretary on Friday.

Sri Lanka's ousted defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando Friday claimed that he had to quit to "protect" his political bosses while asserting that he followed the standard procedures while dealing with advance intelligence inputs on the deadly Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Sri Lanka's ousted defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando Friday claimed that he had to quit to "protect" his political bosses while asserting that he followed the standard procedures while dealing with advance intelligence inputs on the deadly Easter Sunday terror attacks. Amidst public outcry over the massive intelligence failure to avert the suicide attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday sought the resignation of Fernando as well as the Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara. While Fernando quit on Thursday, Jayasundara tendered his resignation on Friday. Sirisena said the intelligence supplied by a friendly nation was not shared with him by senior officials. "All they have done was to exchange letters among themselves," he said. "I asked both police chief and defence secretary why the information was not shared with me, they remained silent," he said. But in a statement prior to tendering his resignation, Fernando said he had forwarded all intelligence information regarding the Easter Sunday attacks to the relevant institutions for action following the standard procedures. He claimed that all advice and orders had also been given and at a time when there was no Emergency or any other special situation enforced in the country, the entire responsibility was with the police, which had conducted arrests and search operations. While Fernando came under fire over the Easter Sunday attacks, he had confided in several media heads that he had in fact immediately notified the relevant political authorities regarding the intelligence warning, the Sri Lanka Mirror reported. However he said that in order to "protect these political authorities he would have to resign from his post", the report said. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday. The Islamic State group has claimed the attacks, but the Sri Lankan government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) for the bombings that killed 253 people, including 11 Indians. In his statement, Fernando noted that President Sirisena has appointed a special committee to inquire if the security establishments had flouted their responsibility while the Defence Ministry is also conducting an independent inquiry into the matter. After Fernando handing in his resignation to the Presidential Secretariat, senior administrative officer Thusitha Wanigasinghe was appointed as the Acting Defence Secretary on Friday.

Resigned to 'protect' political bosses: Ex-Lankan Defence Secretary

Following the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-photos-of-suspects-of-church-hotel-bombing-that-killed-nearly-250-213584">deadly attacks in Sri Lanka </a>that claimed the lives of around 250 people, the country's finance minister on Friday feared a decline in its tourism.

Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday that the country fears its lucrative tourism industry could decline by up to 30 per cent and incur losses of $1.5 billion this year.

"Tourism will be the worst affected. We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about $1.5 billion in foreign exchange", Samaraweera told reporters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/survivors-of-sri-lankan-bombings-mourn-empty-future-without-loved-ones-213674">Survivors of Sri Lankan bombings mourn empty future without loved ones</a>

Samaraweera said the country could take up to two years to fully recover from Sunday's attacks, which devastated three luxury hotels and three Christian churches and killed 253 people killed, among them many foreigners.

"Typically, countries that suffer isolated IS-style attacks see tourism recovering within one-to-two years, as long as root causes are addressed and security measures taken are well communicated," the minister said.

He pointed to Belgium, France, Spain and Tunisia as countries which recovered their tourism markets within a short time.

Samaraweera said tourism was emerging as Sri Lanka's success story when Sunday's blast shattered hopes of reaching a revenue of $5.0 billion, up from last year's $4.4 billion.

He said he was hoping to unveil a package of concessions to help the tourism sector overcome&nbsp;the impact of the suicide bombings.

Most of the deluxe hotels in Colombo have stepped up security and curtailed bookings amid fears of more attacks.

Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday revised the toll from Easter bombings down to 253, from the previous figure of 359, explaining that some of the badly mutilated bodies had been double-counted.

Sri Lankan authorities have taken 76 people in custody in connection to their role in the attacks.

The authorities have released photographs of six suspects, including three women, wanted for their involvement in the deadly Easter attacks.

Police on Thursday released the names and pictures of the suspects and sought information regarding them from the public.

Nine suicide bombers, believed to be the members of a local terror group called National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Following the deadly attacks in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of around 250 people, the country's finance minister on Friday feared a decline in its tourism. Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday that the country fears its lucrative tourism industry could decline by up to 30 per cent and incur losses of $1.

Following the deadly attacks in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of around 250 people, the country's finance minister on Friday feared a decline in its tourism. Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday that the country fears its lucrative tourism industry could decline by up to 30 per cent and incur losses of $1.5 billion this year. "Tourism will be the worst affected. We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about $1.5 billion in foreign exchange", Samaraweera told reporters. Also read: Survivors of Sri Lankan bombings mourn empty future without loved ones Samaraweera said the country could take up to two years to fully recover from Sunday's attacks, which devastated three luxury hotels and three Christian churches and killed 253 people killed, among them many foreigners. "Typically, countries that suffer isolated IS-style attacks see tourism recovering within one-to-two years, as long as root causes are addressed and security measures taken are well communicated," the minister said. He pointed to Belgium, France, Spain and Tunisia as countries which recovered their tourism markets within a short time. Samaraweera said tourism was emerging as Sri Lanka's success story when Sunday's blast shattered hopes of reaching a revenue of $5.0 billion, up from last year's $4.4 billion. He said he was hoping to unveil a package of concessions to help the tourism sector overcome the impact of the suicide bombings. Most of the deluxe hotels in Colombo have stepped up security and curtailed bookings amid fears of more attacks. Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday revised the toll from Easter bombings down to 253, from the previous figure of 359, explaining that some of the badly mutilated bodies had been double-counted. Sri Lankan authorities have taken 76 people in custody in connection to their role in the attacks. The authorities have released photographs of six suspects, including three women, wanted for their involvement in the deadly Easter attacks. Police on Thursday released the names and pictures of the suspects and sought information regarding them from the public. Nine suicide bombers, believed to be the members of a local terror group called National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka fears up to $1.5 billion tourism losses due to attack

Sri Lanka's president met leaders from all religious group on Thursday as he assured the situation in the country is under control as police are looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers were being deployed across the Indian Ocean island state to carry out searches and provide security for religious centres, the military said on Friday.

In the meeting, Maithripala Sirisena told religious leaders that the government is in touch with foreign intelligence on the investigations. Police have detained at least 76 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, in their investigations so far.

Islamic State has provided no evidence to back its claim that it was behind the attacks. If true, it would be one of the worst attacks carried out by the group outside Iraq and Syria.

Sri Lanka's president met leaders from all religious group on Thursday as he assured the situation in the country is under control as police are looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels.

Sri Lanka's president met leaders from all religious group on Thursday as he assured the situation in the country is under control as police are looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels. Nearly 10,000 soldiers were being deployed across the Indian Ocean island state to carry out searches and provide security for religious centres, the military said on Friday. In the meeting, Maithripala Sirisena told religious leaders that the government is in touch with foreign intelligence on the investigations. Police have detained at least 76 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, in their investigations so far. Islamic State has provided no evidence to back its claim that it was behind the attacks. If true, it would be one of the worst attacks carried out by the group outside Iraq and Syria.

Sri Lankan president 'confident' armed forces could 'destroy' group behind bombings

1993 Mumbai serial blast convict Abdul Gani Turk passed away on Thursday in Nagpur`s GMC Hospital.

Turk had been sentenced to death in 2017 for his role in planting a bomb at the Century Bazar.

The other places where blasts occurred were Bombay Stock Exchange, Katha Bazaar, Lucky petrol pump near Sena Bhavan, Fishermen`s colony at Mahim Causeway, Air India Building, Zaveri Bazaar, Hotel Sea Rock, Plaza Theatre, Centaur Hotel in Juhu, Centaur Hotel near the airport and Sahar Airport.

Turk was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail.&nbsp;

1993 Mumbai serial blast convict Abdul Gani Turk passed away on Thursday in Nagpur`s GMC Hospital. Turk had been sentenced to death in 2017 for his role in planting a bomb at the Century Bazar.

1993 Mumbai serial blast convict Abdul Gani Turk passed away on Thursday in Nagpur`s GMC Hospital. Turk had been sentenced to death in 2017 for his role in planting a bomb at the Century Bazar. The other places where blasts occurred were Bombay Stock Exchange, Katha Bazaar, Lucky petrol pump near Sena Bhavan, Fishermen`s colony at Mahim Causeway, Air India Building, Zaveri Bazaar, Hotel Sea Rock, Plaza Theatre, Centaur Hotel in Juhu, Centaur Hotel near the airport and Sahar Airport. Turk was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail.

1993 Mumbai blast convict Abdul Gani Turk passes away

The CCTV footage of Shangri-La hotel blast showed in graphic detail of two men wearing caps and carrying backpacks taking a lift to the third floor.

CCTV footage of suspected suicide bombers behind Shangri-La hotel blast

Survivors of suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka that killed 321 people recounted the horrors of the blasts and buried their dead relatives, as the first images of a suspected bomber were released by authorities on Tuesday (April 23).

Survivors recount horrors of blast and bury dead relatives

A Sri Lankan schoolgirl was studying for her O-levels at her home when she heard a blast at her local church St. Sebastian's -- she went to the church to discover its interior full blood, and saw faceless bodies and parents carrying their dead children. The 16-year-old lost her friends in the worst ever attacks carried out against the island's small Christian minority.

Sri Lankan teenager recounts blast horror

While Japanese PM Shinzo Abe expressed deep anguish, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India stands with Sri Lanka in this hour of crisis.

World leaders condemn bombings in Sri Lanka

'Some intelligence officers were aware of this incident': Sri Lanka Minister on serial bomb blasts

Series of blasts hit Sri Lanka: Scores of people dead

Easter Sunday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-says-local-militant-group-national-thowheed-jamath-behind-easter-sunday-blasts-212556">bomb blasts at three churches and four hotels</a> in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sri-lanka-government-orders-new-curfew-after-attacks-212543">Sri Lanka</a> killed more than 200 people and wounded at least 450, police officials said, the first major attack on the Indian Ocean island since the end of a civil war 10 years ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-president-maithripala-sirisena-to-announce-nationwide-emergency-from-midnight-212560">Politicians and religious leaders</a> were united in their shock and condemnation.

Here are some of their reactions.

Pope Francis

"I learned with sadness and pain of the news of the grave attacks, that precisely today, Easter, brought mourning and pain to churches and other places where people were gathered in Sri Lanka," he told tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square to hear his Easter Sunday message.

"I wish to express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, hit while it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence."

World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder

"World Jewry - in fact, all civilized people - denounce this heinous outrage and appeal for zero tolerance of those who use terror to advance their objectives. This truly barbarous assault on peaceful worshippers on one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar serves as a painful reminder that the war against terror must be at the top of the international agenda and pursued relentlessly," he said in a statement.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Church of England

"The will to power leads to the murder of innocents in Sri Lanka. The utterly despicable destruction that on this holiest of days seeks to challenge the reality of the risen Christ. To say that darkness will conquer, that our choice is surrender or death. Jesus chose to defy this darkness and he is risen indeed."

US President Donald Trump

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-revises-travel-advisory-for-sri-lanka-warns-terrorists-continue-plotting-attacks-212496">United States</a> offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!" he tweeted.

Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi

"Strongly condemn the horrific<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiG8tS7puPhAhWJr48KHWDaDUQQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1K06uI3GHI0kq8zp0nwaks"> blasts</a> in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/these-blasts-are-grim-reminder-of-most-serious-challenge-to-humanity-pm-modi-to-sri-lankan-president-pm-212293">India stands in solidarity</a> with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured," he said on Twitter.

Pakistan's Prime minister Imran Khan

"Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost and hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief," he tweeted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

"Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena in connection with tragic consequences of terrorist acts," his English Twitter account said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

"It is shocking that people who had gathered to celebrate Easter were the deliberate target of vicious attacks," she wrote in a letter of condolence to Sri Lanka's president.

French President Emmanuel Macron

“Deep sorrow following the terrorist attacks against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. We firmly condemn these heinous acts. All our solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka and our thoughts go out to all victims’ relatives on this Easter Day,” he said on Twitter.

British Prime Minister Theresa May

"The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time. We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear," she tweeted.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

"Terror and barbarity will never defeat us," he wrote on Twitter.

Luxembourg premier Xavier Bettel

"Even on Easter Sunday, there are those who sow hatred and reap death. The attacks in Sri Lanka churches testify to a real genocide perpetrated against Christians. Let us pray for the innocent victims and work towards religious freedom around the world," he said on Twitter.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

"It was with horror and sadness that I heard of the bombings in Sri Lanka costing the lives of so many people. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who had gathered to worship peacefully or come to visit this beautiful country. We stand ready to support," he said on Twitter.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin

"The attacks in Sri Lanka, including those at prayer celebrating Easter Sunday are a despicable crime. We are all children of God; an attack on one religion is an attack on us all," he said on Twitter.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan

"I condemn in the strongest terms possible the Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka. This is an assault on all of humanity," he tweeted.

Iranian Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

"Terribly saddened by terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan worshippers during Easter. Condolences to friendly govt &amp; people of Sri Lanka. Our thoughts &amp; prayers with the victims &amp; their families. Terrorism is a global menace with no religion: it must be condemned &amp; confronted globally," he said on Twitter.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

“New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism, and our resolve has only been strengthened by the attack on our soil on the 15th of March. To see an attack in Sri Lanka while people were in churches and at hotels is devastating,” she said in a written statement.

"New Zealand rejects all forms of extremism and stands for freedom of religion and the right to worship safely. Collectively we must find the will and the answers to end such violence." 
&nbsp;

Easter Sunday bomb blasts at three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka killed more than 200 people and wounded at least 450, police officials said, the first major attack on the Indian Ocean island since the end of a civil war 10 years ago.

Easter Sunday bomb blasts at three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka killed more than 200 people and wounded at least 450, police officials said, the first major attack on the Indian Ocean island since the end of a civil war 10 years ago. Politicians and religious leaders were united in their shock and condemnation. Here are some of their reactions. Pope Francis "I learned with sadness and pain of the news of the grave attacks, that precisely today, Easter, brought mourning and pain to churches and other places where people were gathered in Sri Lanka," he told tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square to hear his Easter Sunday message. "I wish to express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, hit while it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence." World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder "World Jewry - in fact, all civilized people - denounce this heinous outrage and appeal for zero tolerance of those who use terror to advance their objectives. This truly barbarous assault on peaceful worshippers on one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar serves as a painful reminder that the war against terror must be at the top of the international agenda and pursued relentlessly," he said in a statement. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Church of England "The will to power leads to the murder of innocents in Sri Lanka. The utterly despicable destruction that on this holiest of days seeks to challenge the reality of the risen Christ. To say that darkness will conquer, that our choice is surrender or death. Jesus chose to defy this darkness and he is risen indeed." US President Donald Trump "The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!" he tweeted. Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi "Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured," he said on Twitter. Pakistan's Prime minister Imran Khan "Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost and hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief," he tweeted. Russian President Vladimir Putin "Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena in connection with tragic consequences of terrorist acts," his English Twitter account said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel "It is shocking that people who had gathered to celebrate Easter were the deliberate target of vicious attacks," she wrote in a letter of condolence to Sri Lanka's president. French President Emmanuel Macron “Deep sorrow following the terrorist attacks against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. We firmly condemn these heinous acts. All our solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka and our thoughts go out to all victims’ relatives on this Easter Day,” he said on Twitter. British Prime Minister Theresa May "The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time. We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear," she tweeted. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez "Terror and barbarity will never defeat us," he wrote on Twitter. Luxembourg premier Xavier Bettel "Even on Easter Sunday, there are those who sow hatred and reap death. The attacks in Sri Lanka churches testify to a real genocide perpetrated against Christians. Let us pray for the innocent victims and work towards religious freedom around the world," he said on Twitter. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "It was with horror and sadness that I heard of the bombings in Sri Lanka costing the lives of so many people. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who had gathered to worship peacefully or come to visit this beautiful country. We stand ready to support," he said on Twitter. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin "The attacks in Sri Lanka, including those at prayer celebrating Easter Sunday are a despicable crime. We are all children of God; an attack on one religion is an attack on us all," he said on Twitter. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan "I condemn in the strongest terms possible the Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka. This is an assault on all of humanity," he tweeted. Iranian Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif "Terribly saddened by terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan worshippers during Easter. Condolences to friendly govt & people of Sri Lanka. Our thoughts & prayers with the victims & their families. Terrorism is a global menace with no religion: it must be condemned & confronted globally," he said on Twitter. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern “New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism, and our resolve has only been strengthened by the attack on our soil on the 15th of March. To see an attack in Sri Lanka while people were in churches and at hotels is devastating,” she said in a written statement. "New Zealand rejects all forms of extremism and stands for freedom of religion and the right to worship safely. Collectively we must find the will and the answers to end such violence."

World's reaction to the deadliest attack in Sri Lanka

There was still no claim of responsibility for the attacks on three churches and four hotels, mostly in and around the capital Colombo. One of the explosions was at St. Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic church and a tourist landmark.

Nearly 300 killed in Sri Lanka bombings, candlelight vigil in Paris for victims

Multiple explosions were reported in Colombo on Sunday during Easter mass.&nbsp;The blast had taken place at several other&nbsp;places also in Sri Lanka.

At least 80 people have been injured in the blasts as worshippers were attending Easter Sunday services, a hospital official said.

"Eighty people have already been admitted, and more are still coming in," an official at the Colombo National Hospital said on condition of anonymity.

According to tweets by several users on micro-blogging site Twitter,&nbsp;one of the explosions was a St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade of the capital, Colombo. Another church in Katuwapitiya, Katana was also hit.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Im really upset with these senseless <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bomb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bomb</a> attack in tow church over capital.. pray for rescue colombo 😢🙏 Rest In Peace and get well soon 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> <a href="https://t.co/daNeorE0ZC">pic.twitter.com/daNeorE0ZC</a>
— SJ.Harry (@SJ_Harry19) <a href="https://twitter.com/SJ_Harry19/status/1119818149979918336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Police also reported explosions at the Shangri-La Hotel and Kingsbury Hotel.

(With inputs from AFP)

Multiple explosions were reported in Colombo on Sunday during Easter mass. The blast had taken place at several other places also in Sri Lanka. At least 80 people have been injured in the blasts as worshippers were attending Easter Sunday services, a hospital official said.

Multiple explosions were reported in Colombo on Sunday during Easter mass. The blast had taken place at several other places also in Sri Lanka. At least 80 people have been injured in the blasts as worshippers were attending Easter Sunday services, a hospital official said. "Eighty people have already been admitted, and more are still coming in," an official at the Colombo National Hospital said on condition of anonymity. According to tweets by several users on micro-blogging site Twitter, one of the explosions was a St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade of the capital, Colombo. Another church in Katuwapitiya, Katana was also hit. Im really upset with these senseless #bomb attack in tow church over capital.. pray for rescue colombo 😢🙏 Rest In Peace and get well soon #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/daNeorE0ZC — SJ.Harry (@SJ_Harry19) April 21, 2019 × Police also reported explosions at the Shangri-La Hotel and Kingsbury Hotel. (With inputs from AFP)

Multiple blasts in Sri Lanka, churches hit during Easter Sunday mass

Eleven people were killed and eight civilians wounded after assailants armed with guns, grenades and suicide bomb jackets stormed an 18-story <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-followed-by-gunfire-reported-in-afghanistan-capital-police-211996">government office building in Afghanistan's capital</a> of Kabul on Saturday.

The attack on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) started at around mid-day and ended after a five-hour exchange of gunfire and explosions.

Among the eight people killed were four civilians, three members of the Afghan security forces and all the four attackers, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs.

A MCIT staff member described how the explosions and the gunfire unfolded.

"We were at our offices when the blast happened. It was so powerful that we were forced to hide in the safe rooms on each floor. I could still hear constant explosions and gunfire while in the safe room," said Hasibullah Noorzada, an employee of MCIT.

The Afghan Special Forces evacuated around 2,000 people from the MCIT building.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet. The Taliban militant group has denied involvement.

Eleven people were killed and eight civilians wounded after assailants armed with guns, grenades and suicide bomb jackets stormed an 18-story government office building in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Saturday.

Eleven people were killed and eight civilians wounded after assailants armed with guns, grenades and suicide bomb jackets stormed an 18-story government office building in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Saturday. The attack on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) started at around mid-day and ended after a five-hour exchange of gunfire and explosions. Among the eight people killed were four civilians, three members of the Afghan security forces and all the four attackers, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs. A MCIT staff member described how the explosions and the gunfire unfolded. "We were at our offices when the blast happened. It was so powerful that we were forced to hide in the safe rooms on each floor. I could still hear constant explosions and gunfire while in the safe room," said Hasibullah Noorzada, an employee of MCIT. The Afghan Special Forces evacuated around 2,000 people from the MCIT building. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet. The Taliban militant group has denied involvement.

Attack at government office building kills 11 in Kabul

At least 20 people were killed and 48 wounded Friday by a powerful suicide blast apparently targeting the Shia Hazara ethnic minority at a crowded fruit market in Pakistan's Quetta city, officials said.

Body parts littered the scene and injured people screamed for help as black smoke cloaked the market after the explosion.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed the attack, which occurred in the capital of southwestern Balochistan province.

The group said it collaborated with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), which has been behind numerous bloody attacks on Shiite Muslims in Pakistan. There was no immediate confirmation from LeJ.&nbsp;

Balochistan -- which borders Afghanistan and Iran -- is Pakistan's largest and poorest province, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies.&nbsp;

Balochistan home minister Zia Ullah Langu gave the toll and confirmed it was a suicide blast, adding that two of the dead were children.

Provincial police chief Mohsin Butt said eight Hazara were among the victims.

The Hazara, whose Central Asian features make them easily recognisable, are a soft target for Sunni militants, who consider them heretics.&nbsp;

They are so frequently targeted that they are forced to live in two protected enclaves in the city and are given a daily police escort to the market to stock up on supplies.

Police chief Butt said this had happened Friday.

The bomb detonated near a site where produce was being loaded for distribution around the market.

"I was loading a small truck and I heard a huge bang and it seemed as if the earth beneath me had shaken and I fell down," said Irfan Khan, a labourer, from his hospital bed.&nbsp;

"The atmosphere was filled with black smoke and I could not see anything, I could hear people screaming for help and I was also screaming for help."&nbsp;

He said the air was "filled with the stinging smell of burnt human flesh".

Senior police official Abdul Razaq Cheema said the blast targeted the Hazarganji neighbourhood of Quetta.&nbsp;

Hazara make up roughly 500,000 of the city's 2.3 million people.

Amnesty International said the blast was a "painful reminder" of the many attacks suffered by the Hazara community in Quetta over the years, and called for the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan to give them better protection.&nbsp;

"Each time, there are promises that more will be done to protect them, and each time those promises have failed to materialize," wrote Omar Waraich, Amnesty's deputy director for South Asia.

Violence in Pakistan has dropped significantly since the country's deadliest-ever militant attack, an assault on a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in 2014 that killed more than 150 people, most of them children. 
&nbsp;

At least 20 people were killed and 48 wounded Friday by a powerful suicide blast apparently targeting the Shia Hazara ethnic minority at a crowded fruit market in Pakistan's Quetta city, officials said.

At least 20 people were killed and 48 wounded Friday by a powerful suicide blast apparently targeting the Shia Hazara ethnic minority at a crowded fruit market in Pakistan's Quetta city, officials said. Body parts littered the scene and injured people screamed for help as black smoke cloaked the market after the explosion. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed the attack, which occurred in the capital of southwestern Balochistan province. The group said it collaborated with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), which has been behind numerous bloody attacks on Shiite Muslims in Pakistan. There was no immediate confirmation from LeJ. Balochistan -- which borders Afghanistan and Iran -- is Pakistan's largest and poorest province, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies. Balochistan home minister Zia Ullah Langu gave the toll and confirmed it was a suicide blast, adding that two of the dead were children. Provincial police chief Mohsin Butt said eight Hazara were among the victims. The Hazara, whose Central Asian features make them easily recognisable, are a soft target for Sunni militants, who consider them heretics. They are so frequently targeted that they are forced to live in two protected enclaves in the city and are given a daily police escort to the market to stock up on supplies. Police chief Butt said this had happened Friday. The bomb detonated near a site where produce was being loaded for distribution around the market. "I was loading a small truck and I heard a huge bang and it seemed as if the earth beneath me had shaken and I fell down," said Irfan Khan, a labourer, from his hospital bed. "The atmosphere was filled with black smoke and I could not see anything, I could hear people screaming for help and I was also screaming for help." He said the air was "filled with the stinging smell of burnt human flesh". Senior police official Abdul Razaq Cheema said the blast targeted the Hazarganji neighbourhood of Quetta. Hazara make up roughly 500,000 of the city's 2.3 million people. Amnesty International said the blast was a "painful reminder" of the many attacks suffered by the Hazara community in Quetta over the years, and called for the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan to give them better protection. "Each time, there are promises that more will be done to protect them, and each time those promises have failed to materialize," wrote Omar Waraich, Amnesty's deputy director for South Asia. Violence in Pakistan has dropped significantly since the country's deadliest-ever militant attack, an assault on a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in 2014 that killed more than 150 people, most of them children.

Pakistan: Death toll in Quetta blast rises to 20, several injured

A bomb blast outside a restaurant on Wednesday wounded at least 13 people, including children, in the insurgency-plagued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-claims-southern-philippine-blast-that-killed-11-156040&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjNqIbe7rPhAhWMr48KHT3kBTkQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2d6Ka_BLjgpmy5ptFGAEdf">southern Philippines</a>, authorities said.

The explosion shattered a window at the front of the eatery, striking family members gathered for an event in the town of Isulan on Mindanao island, Mayor Marites Pallasigue told AFP.

The southern Philippines is plagued by multiple armed groups ranging from communist insurgents to Islamic State-aligned jihadists, which leave the area mired in poverty and violence.

Police cordoned off the area outside the shattered facade of the restaurant as a probe began into who was responsible.&nbsp;

"The bomb was placed at the back of the air conditioner," said Pallasigue, putting the number of wounded at 13.&nbsp;

"Most the victims are related to each other," she added.

Police confirmed the explosion but said the number of wounded could be as high as 18. No deaths have been reported.&nbsp;

On a neighbouring island to the south of Mindanao, an IS-claimed attack in January on a cathedral during Sunday mass killed 21 and wounded about a hundred others.

The bombing cast a shadow over a vote less than a week earlier to give Muslims in the south of the Catholic majority Philippines greater resources and control over their affairs.

The explosion Wednesday in Isulan happened just a few meters from the site of a deadly blast which occurred last year and was believed to have been carried out by Islamist militants.&nbsp;

A bomb blast outside a restaurant on Wednesday wounded at least 13 people, including children, in the insurgency-plagued southern Philippines, authorities said. The explosion shattered a window at the front of the eatery, striking family members gathered for an event in the town of Isulan on Mindanao island, Mayor Marites Pallasigue told AFP.

A bomb blast outside a restaurant on Wednesday wounded at least 13 people, including children, in the insurgency-plagued southern Philippines, authorities said. The explosion shattered a window at the front of the eatery, striking family members gathered for an event in the town of Isulan on Mindanao island, Mayor Marites Pallasigue told AFP. The southern Philippines is plagued by multiple armed groups ranging from communist insurgents to Islamic State-aligned jihadists, which leave the area mired in poverty and violence. Police cordoned off the area outside the shattered facade of the restaurant as a probe began into who was responsible. "The bomb was placed at the back of the air conditioner," said Pallasigue, putting the number of wounded at 13. "Most the victims are related to each other," she added. Police confirmed the explosion but said the number of wounded could be as high as 18. No deaths have been reported. On a neighbouring island to the south of Mindanao, an IS-claimed attack in January on a cathedral during Sunday mass killed 21 and wounded about a hundred others. The bombing cast a shadow over a vote less than a week earlier to give Muslims in the south of the Catholic majority Philippines greater resources and control over their affairs. The explosion Wednesday in Isulan happened just a few meters from the site of a deadly blast which occurred last year and was believed to have been carried out by Islamist militants.

Restaurant blast in southern Philippines wounds at least 13

A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others.

According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market.

"Two people were killed in the blast on the spot and seven others injured," they said.

The deceased were&nbsp;in a car which caught fire after the blast, the officials said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last month, many incidents of violence and terrorism reported from Balochistan.

On February 24, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali.

On February 17, four soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in&nbsp;Goran, some 70 kilometres from Panjgur district.

A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others. According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market.

A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others. According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market. "Two people were killed in the blast on the spot and seven others injured," they said. The deceased were in a car which caught fire after the blast, the officials said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Last month, many incidents of violence and terrorism reported from Balochistan. On February 24, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali. On February 17, four soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Goran, some 70 kilometres from Panjgur district.

Bomb blast kills two in Pakistan's Balochistan

Twelve school students were injured in a blast inside the classroom of a private school&nbsp;Falai-e-Millat in the Narbal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.

“Several students reported injured in the blast and the details with regard to it is being ascertained,” a police official said.

The injured students were rushed to a hospital for treatment.&nbsp;Some of them have been taken shifted to SMHS hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment.

The explosion took place inside the classroom at 2:30 pm.

"I was teaching and then suddenly an explosion occurred. I can't say how many students are injured," Jawed Ahmed, a teacher at the school, said.

<img alt="Pulwama" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ac3193f8-bba8-4fd3-a6e4-51b009185764" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_2.JPG" />

Visuals from the hospital where the students have been admitted. (ANI photo)

The cause of the blast is not yet known.

The police meanwhile have reached the spot and a probe is underway.

A case has been registered and an&nbsp;investigation is underway.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Twelve school students were injured in a blast inside the classroom of a private school Falai-e-Millat in the Narbal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.

Twelve school students were injured in a blast inside the classroom of a private school Falai-e-Millat in the Narbal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday. “Several students reported injured in the blast and the details with regard to it is being ascertained,” a police official said. The injured students were rushed to a hospital for treatment. Some of them have been taken shifted to SMHS hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment. The explosion took place inside the classroom at 2:30 pm. "I was teaching and then suddenly an explosion occurred. I can't say how many students are injured," Jawed Ahmed, a teacher at the school, said. Visuals from the hospital where the students have been admitted. (ANI photo) The cause of the blast is not yet known. The police meanwhile have reached the spot and a probe is underway. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. (With inputs from ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir: 12 schoolchildren injured after explosion inside classroom

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/blast-in-somalias-capital-mogadishu-report-195008">Somalia capital</a> on Monday, police said.

"The blast occurred close to Mogadishu mall and it has caused death and destruction. Nine civilians were confirmed dead and several others are wounded," police officer Ahmed Moalin Ali said.

"The terrorists parked a vehicle loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the mall to kill the innocent civilians."

He said some of the victims died in a building that collapsed as a result of the blast in the Hamarweyne market.

"I saw the dead bodies of four people recovered from the debris of a collapsed building and three others were strewn dead outside after the blast had blown them," said shopper Munira Abdukadir.

"I was not far away from the blast location, but I was lucky to have survived, several people were wounded and some were screaming before the ambulances arrived," said another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed.

Mogadishu is regularly targeted by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has lost many of its strongholds. But it retains control of large rural swathes of the country and continues to wage a guerrilla war against the authorities. 
&nbsp;

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the Somalia capital on Monday, police said.

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the Somalia capital on Monday, police said. "The blast occurred close to Mogadishu mall and it has caused death and destruction. Nine civilians were confirmed dead and several others are wounded," police officer Ahmed Moalin Ali said. "The terrorists parked a vehicle loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the mall to kill the innocent civilians." He said some of the victims died in a building that collapsed as a result of the blast in the Hamarweyne market. "I saw the dead bodies of four people recovered from the debris of a collapsed building and three others were strewn dead outside after the blast had blown them," said shopper Munira Abdukadir. "I was not far away from the blast location, but I was lucky to have survived, several people were wounded and some were screaming before the ambulances arrived," said another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed. Mogadishu is regularly targeted by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group Al-Shabaab. The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has lost many of its strongholds. But it retains control of large rural swathes of the country and continues to wage a guerrilla war against the authorities.

At least nine killed, several wounded in Somalia market car bombing: Police

Philippines: 27 killed, 77 injured as twin blasts hit church during mass

A bomb blast in a bus killed three civilians Sunday in the northern Syrian city of Afrin on the first anniversary of a Turkish attack on the Kurdish-majority region, a war monitor said.

Nine other people, including fighters, were wounded in the explosion, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP.

Turkish troops and allied rebel groups seized the Afrin region from Kurdish forces in March last year after a two-month air and ground offensive.

"The explosion is the result of a bomb that was placed in a bus in the centre of Afrin," Abdel Rahman said.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast, the second to rock Afrin since December 16 when a car bomb killed at least nine people, including five civilians, near a pro-Turkey rebel post in the city.

That explosion came after Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan threatened to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria.

Turkey accuses the YPG of being "terrorists", but the Kurdish militia also forms the backbone of a US-backed alliance fighting the Islamic State group in Syria.

A bomb blast in a bus killed three civilians Sunday in the northern Syrian city of Afrin on the first anniversary of a Turkish attack on the Kurdish-majority region, a war monitor said.

A bomb blast in a bus killed three civilians Sunday in the northern Syrian city of Afrin on the first anniversary of a Turkish attack on the Kurdish-majority region, a war monitor said. Nine other people, including fighters, were wounded in the explosion, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP. Turkish troops and allied rebel groups seized the Afrin region from Kurdish forces in March last year after a two-month air and ground offensive. "The explosion is the result of a bomb that was placed in a bus in the centre of Afrin," Abdel Rahman said. It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast, the second to rock Afrin since December 16 when a car bomb killed at least nine people, including five civilians, near a pro-Turkey rebel post in the city. That explosion came after Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan threatened to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. Turkey accuses the YPG of being "terrorists", but the Kurdish militia also forms the backbone of a US-backed alliance fighting the Islamic State group in Syria.

Bomb blast in a bus kills 3 civilians in Syria's Afrin: Monitor

Three people were injured, one of them seriously, when a country-made bomb exploded near Kuttiyadi police station limits, police said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred at around 12 last night at the compound of one Abdulla Musaliyar and his son, Sali, was among the injured, they said.

A country-made bomb has been recovered from the blast site, they added.

Police were informed about the incident this morning.

A case has been registered and the investigation has begun.

Further details are awaited.

The explosion occurred at around 12 last night at the compound of Abdulla Musaliyar and his son, police said.

Three people were injured, one of them seriously, when a country-made bomb exploded near Kuttiyadi police station limits, police said Tuesday. The explosion occurred at around 12 last night at the compound of one Abdulla Musaliyar and his son, Sali, was among the injured, they said. A country-made bomb has been recovered from the blast site, they added. Police were informed about the incident this morning. A case has been registered and the investigation has begun. Further details are awaited.

Three injured as country bomb explodes in Kerala

Three Vietnamese holidaymakers and an Egyptian tour guide were killed Friday when a roadside bomb blast hit their bus as it travelled close to the Giza pyramids outside Cairo, officials said.

A statement by the public prosecutor's office said 11 other tourists from Vietnam and an Egyptian bus driver were wounded when the homemade device exploded. &nbsp;

The improvised explosive device was placed near a wall along the Mariyutiya Street in Al-Haram district near the Giza Pyramids, it said.&nbsp;

The bus was carrying a total of 16 people including 14 Vietnamese tourists, an Egyptian driver and a tour guide, according to the statement.&nbsp;

Armed security personnel quickly deployed to the site and cordoned off the area for inspection.&nbsp;

The white tourist bus could be seen with its windows shattered and surrounded by soot-covered debris. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli visited the injured tourists in hospital, where he announced that the tour guide had died from his wounds. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Madbouli urged against "amplifying" the incident as he insisted that "no country in the world can guarantee that its 100 percent safe".

"It's possible at times that an individual incident takes place here or there," he told journalists.

"We have to know that it's possible that it would be repeated in the future."&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.&nbsp;

Later, a statement issued by the United States condemning the attack.&nbsp;

"We stand with all Egyptians in the fight against terrorism and support the Egyptian government in bringing the perpetrators of this attack to justice," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said.

Tourism struggling

Egypt's tourism industry has been struggling to recover from terror attacks and domestic instability that has hit the country in recent years.

In July 2017, two German tourists were stabbed to death by a suspected jihadist assailant at the Egyptian Red Sea beach resort of Hurgada.&nbsp;

In October 2015, a bomb claimed by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group killed 224 people on board a passenger jet carrying Russian tourists over the Sinai peninsula.&nbsp;

That incident dealt a severe blow to Egypt's tourism industry still reeling from the turmoil set off by the 2011 uprising that forced veteran leader Hosni Mubarak from power.&nbsp;

Egypt has since been seeking to lure tourists back and spur the lucrative sector by touting new archaeological discoveries and bolstering security around archaeological sites and in airports.

Tourism has slowly started picking up. The official statistics agency says tourists arrivals in Egypt in 2017 reached 8.2 million, up from 5.3 million the year before.&nbsp;

But that figure was still far short of the record influx in 2010 when over 14 million visitors flocked see the country's sites.&nbsp;

Egypt has for years been battling an Islamist insurgency in North Sinai, which surged following the 2013 military ouster of president Mohamed Morsi.

Security forces have since February been conducting a major operation focused on the Sinai Peninsula, aimed at wiping out a local IS branch.

More than 450 suspected jihadists and around 30 Egyptian soldiers have been killed since the offensive began, the army said in October.

The pyramids of Giza are the only surviving structure of the seven wonders of the ancient world and a major tourist draw attracting visitors from across the globe.

Three Vietnamese holidaymakers and an Egyptian tour guide were killed Friday when a roadside bomb blast hit their bus as it travelled close to the Giza pyramids outside Cairo, officials said.

Three Vietnamese holidaymakers and an Egyptian tour guide were killed Friday when a roadside bomb blast hit their bus as it travelled close to the Giza pyramids outside Cairo, officials said. A statement by the public prosecutor's office said 11 other tourists from Vietnam and an Egyptian bus driver were wounded when the homemade device exploded. The improvised explosive device was placed near a wall along the Mariyutiya Street in Al-Haram district near the Giza Pyramids, it said. The bus was carrying a total of 16 people including 14 Vietnamese tourists, an Egyptian driver and a tour guide, according to the statement. Armed security personnel quickly deployed to the site and cordoned off the area for inspection. The white tourist bus could be seen with its windows shattered and surrounded by soot-covered debris. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli visited the injured tourists in hospital, where he announced that the tour guide had died from his wounds. Madbouli urged against "amplifying" the incident as he insisted that "no country in the world can guarantee that its 100 percent safe". "It's possible at times that an individual incident takes place here or there," he told journalists. "We have to know that it's possible that it would be repeated in the future." There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. Later, a statement issued by the United States condemning the attack. "We stand with all Egyptians in the fight against terrorism and support the Egyptian government in bringing the perpetrators of this attack to justice," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said. Tourism struggling Egypt's tourism industry has been struggling to recover from terror attacks and domestic instability that has hit the country in recent years. In July 2017, two German tourists were stabbed to death by a suspected jihadist assailant at the Egyptian Red Sea beach resort of Hurgada. In October 2015, a bomb claimed by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group killed 224 people on board a passenger jet carrying Russian tourists over the Sinai peninsula. That incident dealt a severe blow to Egypt's tourism industry still reeling from the turmoil set off by the 2011 uprising that forced veteran leader Hosni Mubarak from power. Egypt has since been seeking to lure tourists back and spur the lucrative sector by touting new archaeological discoveries and bolstering security around archaeological sites and in airports. Tourism has slowly started picking up. The official statistics agency says tourists arrivals in Egypt in 2017 reached 8.2 million, up from 5.3 million the year before. But that figure was still far short of the record influx in 2010 when over 14 million visitors flocked see the country's sites. Egypt has for years been battling an Islamist insurgency in North Sinai, which surged following the 2013 military ouster of president Mohamed Morsi. Security forces have since February been conducting a major operation focused on the Sinai Peninsula, aimed at wiping out a local IS branch. More than 450 suspected jihadists and around 30 Egyptian soldiers have been killed since the offensive began, the army said in October. The pyramids of Giza are the only surviving structure of the seven wonders of the ancient world and a major tourist draw attracting visitors from across the globe.

Egypt: Bomb blast kills 3 Vietnamese tourists, guide near Giza pyramids

A bomb blast early Monday damaged a building in Athens housing the headquarters of Greece's private radio and television network Skai, but there were no casualties, police said.

Anti-terrorist police opened an investigation into the attack that focused on Greek extremist groups.

Attacks targeting broadcasting groups, public companies or embassies have been frequent in Greece in recent years, and have been blamed on anarchist or far-left groups.

The coalition government led by leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras condemned the blast as &nbsp;"an attack on democracy".

The homemade device went off at around 2:30 am&nbsp;(0030 GMT), 45 minutes after an anonymous telephone warning to another TV network.

Police cordoned off the neighbourhood in the Athens suburb of Neo Phaliro and evacuated the building, which contains the offices of Skai, a group owned by the Alafouzos shipping family, as well as those of Kathimerini, a centre-right daily critical of the government.

Police said the bomb was placed near a fence around the building and smashed windows on the facade.

Skai said in a statement the blast caused "major damage".

"The terrorist attack will not discourage us..," it said, accusing the government of failing to do enough to protect the media despite "recurrent threats against the station."

The minister for civil protection, Olga Gerovassili, visited the site with police.

"The democracy is not threatened," she said, and warned those who "leave the way open to terrorism or fascism."

Last month a bomb was defused outside the Athens home of a controversial prosecutor.

A bomb blast early Monday damaged a building in Athens housing the headquarters of Greece's private radio and television network Skai, but there were no casualties, police said.

A bomb blast early Monday damaged a building in Athens housing the headquarters of Greece's private radio and television network Skai, but there were no casualties, police said. Anti-terrorist police opened an investigation into the attack that focused on Greek extremist groups. Attacks targeting broadcasting groups, public companies or embassies have been frequent in Greece in recent years, and have been blamed on anarchist or far-left groups. The coalition government led by leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras condemned the blast as "an attack on democracy". The homemade device went off at around 2:30 am (0030 GMT), 45 minutes after an anonymous telephone warning to another TV network. Police cordoned off the neighbourhood in the Athens suburb of Neo Phaliro and evacuated the building, which contains the offices of Skai, a group owned by the Alafouzos shipping family, as well as those of Kathimerini, a centre-right daily critical of the government. Police said the bomb was placed near a fence around the building and smashed windows on the facade. Skai said in a statement the blast caused "major damage". "The terrorist attack will not discourage us..," it said, accusing the government of failing to do enough to protect the media despite "recurrent threats against the station." The minister for civil protection, Olga Gerovassili, visited the site with police. "The democracy is not threatened," she said, and warned those who "leave the way open to terrorism or fascism." Last month a bomb was defused outside the Athens home of a controversial prosecutor.

Bomb blast at Athens headquarters of media group

Afghan officials say at least five civilians were killed when in a bomb exploded during a wedding ceremony in eastern Logar province.

Shah Poor Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief's spokesman, says seven others were wounded in the attack late Friday, which took place in Mohammad Agha district.

Mohammad Naser Ghairat, a provincial council member in Logar, confirmed the death toll.&nbsp;

He said the bomb was planted near the house where the wedding was taken place and targeted the participants of the wedding.

Ahmadzai said initial report show both the groom and bride were not hurt.&nbsp;An investigation was begun to find out more and the death toll could rise, he added.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Afghan officials say at least five civilians were killed when in a bomb exploded during a wedding ceremony in eastern Logar province. Shah Poor Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief's spokesman, says seven others were wounded in the attack late Friday, which took place in Mohammad Agha district.

Afghan officials say at least five civilians were killed when in a bomb exploded during a wedding ceremony in eastern Logar province. Shah Poor Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief's spokesman, says seven others were wounded in the attack late Friday, which took place in Mohammad Agha district. Mohammad Naser Ghairat, a provincial council member in Logar, confirmed the death toll. He said the bomb was planted near the house where the wedding was taken place and targeted the participants of the wedding. Ahmadzai said initial report show both the groom and bride were not hurt. An investigation was begun to find out more and the death toll could rise, he added. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Bomb blast kills five of wedding party in eastern Afghanistan

An explosion in Gaza killed five Palestinians on Saturday, health officials said, adding the cause of the blast was unclear.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said she had no information about the incident.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said she had no information about the incident

An explosion in Gaza killed five Palestinians on Saturday, health officials said, adding the cause of the blast was unclear. An Israeli military spokeswoman said she had no information about the incident.

Gaza blast kills five Palestinians, cause unclear - Health officials

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