Sri Lanka terrorism crackdown: Forces clash with suspected militants in Batticaloa

A Sri Lankan military spokesman said that during the raid in the town of Ampara Sainthamaruthu near Batticaloa, a group of men engaged in gunfight with security forces. The search and cordon operation was related to the Easter Sunday attacks.

The spokesman said there was an explosion in the area and when soldiers went to investigate they were fired upon. No details of casualties were immediately available.

Authorities have deployed thousands of troops to help police carry out search operations across the island nation after multiple suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels. 

Over 5,000 army personnel have been deployed around the country.

Bomb blasts during Easter celebrations at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels have killed 253 people and wounded hundreds. Authorities had earlier said that 359 people were killed during the blast but revised the toll to 253 later.

According to Colombo Page, the reduction of death toll reportedly took place after it was observed that body parts of some of the deceased were accounted for twice.

Sri Lanka has been in a state of emergency in the aftermath of the bombings.