Three people have been arrested at the ongoing operation by the Maldives National Defence Force and the Maldives Police Service today in Raa Atoll Maduvari.

Police said that yesterday, they arrested three local men of the ages, 28, 26 and 22 years of age. So far it is unclear if they have been remanded.

The joint operation began on 18 December 2019 in Maduvari where three arrests were made on the day as well.

The operation is being targeted to those who are advocating extremist views and illegally impeding on the rights of children and women, according to the police, and calling for acts of terrorism along with recruiting for terrorist organizations.

As part of the operation, authorities have noted a number of children neglected of vaccinations and education along with falsified marriage certificates. Police have also found a number of electronic devices believed to be linked to extremism, as evidence.