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el-Bakraoui brothers were involved in Brussels attacks: Reports

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ANI Brussels (Belgium)

The two suicide bombers, who detonated their explosives in Zaventem airport killing at least 11 people and injuring 100 others, have been named as Brothers Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui.

Two blasts took place at the Zaventem airport and a third bomb went off an hour later at the Maelbeek metro station on the rue de la Loi, close to the European Union headquarters, killing twenty people and injuring 130 others.

The Belgian brothers were already being sought by the police due to suspected links to the November terror attacks in Paris, reports the Guardian.

Meanwhile, according to Belgium media the Brussels airport attacker still at large has been tentatively identified as Najim Laachraoui, reports the Guardian.

 

He is described as a possible suspect based on an apparent resemblance to a photo of Laachroui that police had released last night.

Laachraoui had traveled to Hungary in September with Paris attacks prime suspect Salah Abdeslam.

Meanwhile, the Belgian Police has launched a series of raids in a massive manhunt for the third man, who is thought to have escaped without detonating his suicide bomb following the attacks.

The police have issued photographs and asked the public to name the suspects as the identities of them are not known yet.

During a raid, the police discovered an explosive device containing nails, chemical products and an ISIS flag in Schaarbeek in the northern suburb of Brussels.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the terror attacks, saying that its operatives had carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices. Later in a statement, it promised further attacks which would be worse and bitter.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel described the incidents as 'black day' for Belgium and said that what was feared has happened. He announced three days of national mourning.

The Brussels airport will remain closed today and the metro will be running on partial services.

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First Published: Mar 23 2016 | 1:56 PM IST

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