STF recovers four Tiger suicide jackets

KOKKADICHOLAI: The STF recovered four LTTE suicide jackets from the Sivam Kovil in Kokkadicholai around 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

The suicide kits carefully concealed inside a decorative structure opposite the kovil were intended for suicide missions in Colombo, the STF said.

Officers of the Manmunai STF camp who recovered the explosives-laden jackets said they were designed for men and rigged in such a manner that they could be activated no sooner the batteries were installed.

The suicide jackets weighing 3.5 kilos each had a yellow card with a warning in Sinhala, Tamil and English to the effect “I have explosives fixed to my body. If you obstruct me, you will be hurt. Let me go”.

The Kokkadicholai area was recently liberated by the Security Forces forcing the LTTE further into Thoppigala. The STF believes that these suicide jackets would have been hidden by the LTTE before the Security Forces cleared the area.

Intelligence reports have revealed that the suicide jackets could have been intended for suicide missions targeting VIPs.