US warns Sri Lanka of more terror attacks on places of worship this weekend

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka warned on Thursday that places of worship could be targeted for militant attacks over the coming weekend, as police searched for more suspects in the Islamic State-claimed Easter suicide bombings that killed over 350 people.

“Sri Lankan authorities are reporting that additional attacks may occur targeting places of worship.  Avoid these areas over the weekend, starting tomorrow, April 26th through Sunday, April 28th.  Continue to remain vigilant and avoid large crowds. #srilanka,” said a statement released by the Embassy.

It asked the travellers to bee prepared for possible checkpoints, road closures, and ongoing searches of people, vehicles, and other items of interest.

“Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas,” the statement issued stated.

Previously, intelligence inputs regarding a possible terror attack in Sri Lanka was shared by Indian agencies with their Sri Lankan counterparts earlier this month after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) completed its probe into an ISIS-inspired module planning to kill prominent leaders in South India, officials said in New Delhi.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe acknowledged that alerts had been sent by India.

Seven suicide bombers took part in the attacks on churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka that initially killed 290 people and wounded more than 500, as eight serial blasts rocked Sri Lanka early on Easter Sunday.

The Daesh group has claimed responsibility for the Sri Lanka attacks and released images that purported to show the attackers.