Attack blamed on militants

A top official said Saturday that Islamic extremists were responsible for an explosion that critically wounded former President Mohamed Nasheed last week, as police said they arrested two of four suspects.

Hospital officials said Saturday that Nasheed, 53, was conscious but remains in an intensive care unit after surgeries to remove shrapnel. The attack Thursday wounded four others.

Nasheed, the current Parliament speaker, has been an outspoken critic of religious extremism in the predominantly Sunni Muslim nation. He’s also been criticized by religious hardliners for his closeness to the west and liberal policies.