Intelligence Unit reveals how India’s RAW got prior information on Easter attack

July 24, 2020 at 11:59 AM

An official from the National Intelligence Unit has revealed that a member of the Easter Sunday terror attacks ring leader Zahran Hashim’s terrorist group had tipped off the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India on the attacks.

The official mentioned this while testifying before the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the terror attacks that took place on 21 April 2019, State TV ITN reported.

Investigations have been launched to ascertain if the tip-off was provided by Pulasthi Mahendiran aka Sara Jasmine who is assumed to have fled to India after escaping the explosion that occurred in Sainthamaruthu when attempts were made to arrest a group of persons who were involved in the Easter attacks.

The Government Additional Solicitor General had questioned the Intelligence Unit official if he knows the individual identified as Sara Jasmine.

The witness revealed that Sara jasmine has been identified as the wife of the suicide bomber who targetted the church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo.

Sara Jasmine was further identified as a Tamil and a native of Thethakivu area In Kalavanchikudi who had later converted into Islam.

The Presidential Commission inquired as to how the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India obtained information on the Easter attacks.

The witness said 97 individuals attached to the banned National Thawheed Jaammat Organization were questioned by him following the attacks and it was revealed that only Zahran’s wife Hadiya and Moulavi Naufer who had a close acquaintance with Zahran had prior knowledge of the attack.

The Government Additional Solicitor General then questioned if Sara Jasmine was aware of the complete details on the Easter attack.

The Witness then said following interrogations of Zahran’s wife it was revealed that Sara Jasmine was indeed aware of all details pertaining to the Easter attacks. (Newswire)