The pregnant wife of a Sri Lankan suicide bomber detonated a suicide vest when police raided the family’s Colombo home, killing herself, her children, and police officers.
A total of nine bombers have been identified by the authorities for carrying out the attacks.
According to reports, two brothers Ilham Ahmed Ibrahim, 31, and Imsath (or Inshaf) Ahmed Ibrahim, 33, have been identified as the suspected bombers during the attacks. Inshaf Ibrahim, a copper factory owner, is accused of being the mastermind behind the bomb plot.
Moreover, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on April 25, “I can confirm that the suicide bomber had been in Australia. They departed in early 2013. That individual had been here on a student and a graduate skilled visa.”
The brothers are thought to be the sons of wealthy, politically connected spice merchant Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim.
“What we can say is some of the suspected bombers, most of them are well-educated and come from maybe middle- or upper-middle-class so are financially independent and their families are quite stable. So that is a worrying fact,” Wijewardene said.
Both were members of the radical Islamic group National Thowfeek Jamaath (NTJ) that has been named by Sri Lankan officials as being behind the bombings.
Ilham Ibrahim had previously express extremist views and was involved in meetings with the local radical Islamic group suspected of being involved in the bombings, reported Newscorp. Meanwhile, his brother Inshaf is known to have more moderate views, was reported “brainwashed” by his brother over many years to become more overtly religious and intolerant, reported the National Post.Inshaf was married to the daughter of a wealthy jewelry manufacturer and had given donations to local struggling families, reports said.
The brother’s father, Mohamed Ibrahim, a wealthy spice trader is now being interrogated about the coordinated attacks.
Police are continuing to carry out raids as they investigate those responsible for the attacks. So far at least 70 people have been arrested and seven people are wanted in connection with the bombings, reported BBC.