SIX children were among 15 killed as explosions went off when military police stormed a 'suicide vest factory' connected to the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka.

A raging gun and suicide bomb battle broke out after cop and soldiers raided the jihadists' hideout near the coastal town of Kalmunai - 200 miles from the capital Colombo.

20 A soldier carries a young girl who was in injured in the crossfire during the raid

20 Soldiers evacuate the injured child after they raid what is believed to be an Islamist safe house Credit: AFP or licensors

Authorities said the militants detonated three bombs and opened fire after troops acting on a police tip-off surrounded the house in the area of Sainthamaruthu.

One civilian was killed and police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said at least three others were wounded in the attack.

A young girl caught was taken to hospital after she was caught up in the crossfire.

Military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said after coming under fire, "troops retaliated and raided the safe house where a large cache of explosives had been stored."

He said the militants were suspected members of the domestic Islamist group National Towheed Jama'at (NTJ) - which has been blamed for last Sunday's attacks.

DEADLY HAUL FOUND

Security forces had recovered explosives, detonators, "suicide kits," military uniforms and ISIS flags in the ongoing raids in Eastern Province on this morning.

Officers acting on information from intelligence officials also found 150 sticks of blasting gelatin and 100,000 small metal balls.

20 Security forces raided a suspected bomb factory in region of Sammanthurai last night

Suicide bomb vests often are packed with such balls to increase the shrapnel in the explosion - making them even deadlier.

A van and clothing suspected to be used by those involved in the Easter attack were also found.



MORE BOMBINGS FEARED

Raids and police curfews shut down areas of eastern Sri Lanka as Catholic leaders cancelled Sunday Masses indefinitely.

The extraordinary move is believed to be the first time the Catholic church had cancelled Masses across a country for security reasons.

Officials also urged Muslims to stay home for prayers amid the fear of more attacks on the besieged island.

Authorities including the country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are warning that militants remain on the loose and have access to explosives.

Since the suicide bombings on churches and hotels - where more than 250 people were killed including eight Britons - security forces have been conducting raids across Sri Lanka.

The government has said nine homegrown, well-educated suicide bombers carried out the Easter Sunday attacks - eight of whom had been identified. One was a woman.

Meanwhile, new footage has emerged of one of the bombers checking into Colombo's Kingsbury Hotel the night before the deadly attacks.

CCTV footage shows him chatting with staff before entering a lift hours before his deadly mission.

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Cops are trying to track down 140 people believed linked to ISIS.

Police have detained at least 76 people - including foreigners from Syria and Egypt.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, while Sri Lankan authorities say local jihadi groups with links to ISIS are responsible.

Chilling CCTV shows Sri Lankan suicide bomber checking into five-star hotel

20 The youngster pictured lying on as stretcher in the back of an ambulance Credit: AP:Associated Press

20 A dead body lies on floor after the dramatic shoot Credit: EPA

20 CCTV cameras picked up the suspected as he left his hotel room just before the attacks Credit: ap

20 The moment the man checked into is room on the eve of the bloodshed Credit: ap

20 Security officers and officials inspect a body at the site of the gun battle Credit: EPA

20 Police officers remove a body at the site of the overnight gun battle Credit: Reuters

20 Military personnel display an ISIS banner after their raid on the safe-house near the eastern town of Kalmunai Credit: AFP or licensors

20 Credit: AP:Associated Press

20 Jihadi uniforms are said to have been found along with the death cult's black flag

20 A gun battle raged last night when special forces swooped on a suicide bomb factory linked to Sri Lanka's Easter attacks Credit: Twitter

20 Officers uncovered a stash of bomb-making gear Credit: Reuters

20 Explosive materials and other items seized in the armed raid Credit: Reuters

20 The findings included bags containing 100,000 ball bearings

20 Fertiliser, a substance used to create bombs, was also amongst the stash

20 There are 10,000 troops searching the country for suspected ISIS jihadis Credit: Getty Images - Getty

20 Soldiers and armed police officers guard the area near Dawatagaha Jumma Masjid ahead of Friday prayers Credit: Getty Images - Getty

20 Fifteen people, including six children, died during a raid by Sri Lankan security forces Credit: AFP or licensors

Sri Lanka security forces discover terrorist nest

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