Zaharan Hashim planned to use 20 suicide bombers; Witness tells PCoI

The witness said the suggestion of using 20 Suicide Bombers was made at a meeting in Sarikkamulla, Panadura on the 27th of March 2019 between Zaharan Hashim and 06 others.

The witness said Zaharan Hashim and his group planned to launch the first attack and then a second attack targetting those fleeing the carnage and then a third attack targetting first responders when hospitalizing the injured.

At the said meeting, Zaharan Hashim and the group had also discussed the possibility of launching another attack targetting a location frequented by foreign tourists in Nuwara Eliya.

According to the TID witness, Zaharan had told the group these attacks should be launched in retaliation to the attack that targeted Muslims in New Zealand and the attacks against IS in Syria.

However, the TID witness said there was no definite resolution reached at the meeting to launch the wave of attacks on the 21st of April.

It was revealed, Zaharan Hashim had told the group in attendance at the meeting that the Suicide Bombers will be notified of the date of the attacks within three days of reaching a decision on when the attacks would be carried out.

The witness said, according to investigations it was revealed Zaharan Hashim had already decided the attacks should take place on the 21st of April 2019.