Milan police arrest 2 in barracks attack

MILAN — Police arrested two more suspects in a bomb attack on a Milan army barracks and found a large quantity of explosives during searches overnight, anti-terrorism prosecutors said Tuesday.

The operation follows Monday’s bomb attack at the gates of Santa Barbara army barracks by a 35-year-old Libyan man, who was seriously wounded in the blast. The motive is not known.

The explosion caused little damage to the barracks but slightly wounded the guard who stopped the attacker.

Anti-terrorism prosecutor Armando Spataro told The Associated Press on Tuesday that another two men — a Libyan and an Egyptian — were arrested overnight as suspected accomplices in the bombing.

Police also found “a large quantity” of the same explosive used in the bombing. Sky Italia’s TG24 TV says 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of the explosive were found, but Spataro would not confirm the amount.

Officials say the material is ammonia nitrate, an easily obtainable fertilizer ingredient often sold in 50-kilogram sacks.

Prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli, who is heading the investigation, said in a phone interview that it was not immediately clear if the three suspects are part of a wider terrorist network or if they had plans for further attacks.

“We still need to look more deeply,” Romanelli said.

Italian news reports said Interior Minister Roberto Maroni would lead a meeting later Tuesday of top intelligence and security officials about the bombing investigation.