Forces seize massive weapons haul during flush out operations

from Rasika Somaratna in Chenkaladi

ERAVUR: Three terrorists were killed and a large haul of weapons and ammunition were recovered yesterday in Eravur as the Army and STF conducted a combined cordon and search operation in Eravur in Batticaloa in search of LTTE terrorists who infiltrated into civilian populated areas.

The Army and the STF conducted this massive search operation covering Thalavi, Saukade and Punnakuda areas covering four square kilometres, to flush out the Tiger cadres infiltrated into civilian populated areas with the intention of disturbing the civil administration.

According to Lt. Col. Sriyantha Napagoda, 232 Brigade Commander in Sittandi, one soldier was killed and a STF officer sustained injuries when a LTTE terrorist cadre hiding inside a house opened fire at the troops engaged in the cordon and search operation.

The troops also recovered one NPMG heavy machine gun with three T -56 rifles, 01 Micro Pistol, six claymore mines each weighing over 10 Kilograms, five booby traps, Tiger uniforms, medicine, Rs.500,000 in cash, 10 switches, five which used by Muslims, books, leaflets containing general details of Muslim lifestyle during this operation.

Troops also captured a Multimedia data base with a large haul of ammunition.

According to Lt. Col. Napagoda the Tigers might have used sea routes to enter the area with the intention of destabilising the normal lifestyle in the area, since they have no control over the Tamil population there with their recent setbacks.

“A lot of LTTE attacks has been thwarted on receipt of information by civilians about the Tiger cadres infiltrated into their villages”, he added. A large number of LTTE terrorists were injured during several confrontations with the troops engaged in the search operation.