The terror trio that blew themselves up in an ISIS attack at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport flashed sick smiles moments before they slaughtered 44 people, a newly-released photo shows.
The bombers, who hailed from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, were grinning as they strolled to the airport with suicide vests, Kalashnikov assault rifles and Glock pistols, according to the Mirror and a U.S. official briefed on the matter.
A man wearing a red T-shirt in the image was identified as Osman Vadinov, who came to Turkey with a Russian passport, according to local media.
ISIS leaders helped the three killers plan the slaughter, a US official told The Post.
The bombers, who hailed from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, were grinning as they strolled to the airport with suicide vests, Kalashnikov assault rifles and Glock pistols, according to the Mirror and a U.S. official briefed on the matter.
A man wearing a red T-shirt in the image was identified as Osman Vadinov, who came to Turkey with a Russian passport, according to local media.
ISIS leaders helped the three killers plan the slaughter, the U.S. official told The Post.
Authorities believe the men had visited ISIS’ stronghold in Raqqa about a month before the attack, then entered Turkey with suicide vests and bombs, the official said.
“This was an ISIS coordinated attack that originated with the leadership in Raqqa,” the official said.
The men rented an apartment in the Fatih district of Istanbul, and neighbors had complained about a chemical smell emanating from the building, Turkish news media reported.
One of the terrorists left behind his Russian passport at the pad, officials said.
ISIS leader Akhmed Chataev, Russian national, is suspected of being the mastermind behind the massacre, according to Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak. The United Nation’s terror watchlist says that Chataev is an ISIS commander who oversees 130 militants.
Warning: Graphic images
A worker cleans off blood splashed on the roof of the international departure terminal.
Russian police said they are investigating the reports.
So far, no terror groups have claimed responsibility for the Tuesday-night bloodbath.
Meanwhile, police carried out raids on 16 locations in Istanbul, detaining 13 people who may have been involved in the airport attack.
Out of those suspects, three were foreigners, a senior official said.
In separate operations, police detained nine suspects believed to be affiliated with ISIS in the coastal city of Izmir.
The suspects were in touch with ISIS militants and involved in “activities that were in line with the organization’s aims and interests,” according to a report. It’s unclear if they had links to the Tuesday-night attack.
Meanwhile, funerals continued for the scores who perished.
Nilsu Ozmeric cried during a memorial service for her fiancé, Jusuf Haznedaroglu, a 32-year-old airport worker who was waiting for a bus home when the three men opened fire then detonated explosives.
“The wedding was next week,” his mother, Cervinye Haznedaroglu, cried.
With Post Wires