Thread by @saikirankannan

Terrible events in #SriLanka. This is targeted killings.

We can certainly rule out #LTTE hand in this (whatever that's left) as it specifically targeted the Catholic churches and foreigners.

This looks like a hand of the Islamic outfits.

#SrilankaBlast

#SriLanka has been peaceful for a decade now. Is this now a sign of the entry of radical islamic outfits !?

Usually they do indulge in large scale attacks to announce themselves...

Hope not.

If it is indeed #Islamic terror, Srilanka must weed them out NOW.

Specific intelligence inputs received but not acted upon.

Coastal areas attacked.

Hotels hosting foreigners targeted.

Reminds me of 26/11 #Mumbai attacks.

Typical terror signatures should not be ignored.

#SriLanka

The count of the dead will be well above 250.

And the number of foreigners dead will also be big once all are identified.

It's sad that in the last decade, sans all the fighting, #SriLanka emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

#SriLanka must not shy away from going into a huddle with nations that "actually" fight islamic terror..

Nations like India, US and others who are always in danger of such radical outfits.

A decade ago, they fought and eliminated a known enemy. But this is a new one for them!

Now there are reports of a 7th bomb that just went off a few mins ago... Confirmation awaited. 😳😓

How many more are we actually looking at !?

Early intelligence reports had pointed fingers at National Tawheeth Ja'maat (NTJ) of Srilanka as a possible risk.

If this gets proven, I'm sure they will also have links with some outfits in Tamil Nadu(India).

#SriLanka #SrilankaBlast

#SriLanka over the years have had an increasing number of clashes reported between Muslims and the Sinhalese.

If the NTJ link is true, this could be one of the strong reasons for their polarisation.

We can't rule out possible NTJ - ISIS links too.

All major leaders and countries have expressed regret and condolences in relation to today's bombings.

Interestingly, Pakistan was the first country to call this a terror attack. Even before Srilanka confirmed.

Did #Pakistan have prior intelligence or is it the lack of it !?

A Reuters source reports another explosion reported from #Dematagoda

Confirmation awaited.

#SriLanka govt has enforced curfew across. Whatsapp and Facebook accesa temporarily suspended in certain areas to stop circulation of unverified media and information.

Picture from one of the churches.

(Credit @JBRBALA) #SriLanka

So altogether 8 blasts as of now.

Social media access ban and curfews across pockets of #SriLanka.

8 explosions in total.

Kochchikade Church
Katuwapitiya Church
Shangrila hotel
Cinnamon Grand Hotel
Kingsbury Hotel
Church in Batticaloa
Hotel in Dehiwala
A location in Dematagoda

All typical tourist joints.

#srilanka