DNA tests prove Zaharan died in Shangri-La blast: Police

• Positive DNA tests on all nine suicide deaths on Easter Sunday, including Ilham’s wife and children    

Police yesterday said Zaharan Hashim, who is believed to have masterminded the Easter Sunday attack, has been confirmed as having died in the Shangri-La blast, following DNA tests carried out by the Government Analyst. 

Releasing a statement, Police said the two brothers Insaf Ahamed and Ilham Ahmad have also been confirmed as dead, after DNA tests were carried out and matched with their father Ibrahim Mohammed’s DNA. Zahran’s DNA was matched with that of his wife and daughter.

The identity of the attacker at St. Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo, who was identified as Atchchi Muhammadu Muhammadu Hasthun, was confirmed when his DNA matched those of his parents.

The DNA of Alawdeen Ahmed Muath, who carried out the attack on St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, Kotahena, matched that of his parents. The DNA of Mohammed Latif Jameel Mohammed, who was responsible for the explosion at the Tropical Inn in Dehiwala, matched that of his children.

The DNA of Muhammad Nazar Mohammad Azad, who detonated the bomb at the Zion Church in Batticaloa, matched that of his mother. The person who blew himself up at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo has been identified as Mohamed Azam Mohamed Mubarak, and his DNA matched that of his child.

The woman who died in Dematagoda was Mohammed Fatima Jiffriya, the wife of Ilham Ahmed, and their children also died in the explosion, Police said.