Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has revealed that the training programs they are currently conducting in collaboration with the Maldives Police Service are not related to reports of terrorist threats.
An official statement by the MNDF reads that the training programs began on 5 May and is followed by the deadly terrorist attacks in neighboring Sri Lanka on 21 April. The second series of training began on Tuesday, revealed MNDF, going on to assure that there is no other reason behind the training.
However, MNDF urged the public to reach the National Counter Terrorism Center through toll-free number, 1615 or Police through 119 if they notice anything suspicious occurring, or anything out of the ordinary.
This comes at a time there has been increasing reports of terrorist threats in the Maldives, on social media platforms. Some allege that terrorist links in the country are planning attacks in crowded regions. Social media users continue to assume that the training programs being conducted by the MNDF and police in which armed officers patrol regions across the Greater Malé Region, is connected to terrorist threats.
Following these reports, Police on Tuesday released an official statement via twitter, confirming that the training is not linked to any such reports. However, they did confirm that the training is followed by the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka.
The statement reads that the purpose of the training programs is to prepare and train officers to work with different agencies in case the country falls into a sudden case of emergency as well as to strengthen their “multi agency coordination”.
“Operation readiness” as the statement reads, is highly prioritized by the police and MNDF in order to strengthen and maintain security in the country.
The police service further urged the public to refrain from spreading such false information via social media platforms, which will draw public concerns and possibly, spread fear. Police further reiterated MNDF’s request to reach them if the public observes anything suspicious.
These training programs mainly involve officers patrolling different regions and streets and checking vehicles, as well as vessels through the MNDF Malé Area Coast Guard Squadron.
Police earlier revealed that these programs are to conclude on 23 May.
On Wednesday, MNDF publicized their findings following an inspection of a vessel that set off from Feydhoo island of Seenu atoll.
Some of their observations include the boat not having a name and when inquired, none of the crew members seemed to know the name of the vessel either.
While there were no Maldivians on board the boat, there were only expatriates on board. MNDF also revealed that the boat did not have a certificate and none of the expatriates had work permits.
Further, the captain of the boat was in Hulhumeedhoo at the time it set off. After inspection, officers had taken the expatriates under their supervision and docked the boat in Feydhoo harbor.
The boat in question, was carrying 6,000 liters of diesel fuel being delivered to the FENAKA branch in Hulhumeedhoo and frozen poultry being delivered to a shop.
