LTTE arms factory seized

Rafik Jalaldeen

Security Forces making speedy advance to liberate the entire Mullaitivu district, seized a massive LTTE arms factory in Suthanthirapuram by troops of 58 division yesterday morning.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops attached to the 58 division under command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva captured an LTTE claymore mine and 81mm mortar manufacturing factory in the North of Suthanthirapuram. "Troops consolidating their position in the Sudhanthirapuram area spotted and seized this highly fortified LTTE arms factory," he added.

He said the bomb factory was equipped with installations filling explosives and production of barrel type claymore mines.

"We believe the arms factory was one of the LTTE key mortar and claymore mine manufacturing plants," Brigadier Nanayakkara told the Daily News.

Meanwhile, troops of 58 the division confronting the Tiger cadres in bitter clashes and inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE in Kuppilankulam and Thamarakulam on Wednesday also recovered a haul of weapons and vehicles.

Troops recovered five 120mm mortar tubes, four 120mm mortar plate, 120mm mortar bi-pod, tow 81mm mortar tubes, eight 81mm mortar plate, eight 81mm mortar bi-pod, an LMG weapon, 48 assault riffles, a G3 A3 riffle, two claymore mines, 60mm mortar tube, an RPG weapon, a Cab, a backhoe machine, a lorry, a tractor and a motorcycle.

In another pitched battle in the Vanni, troops attached to 57 division launched heavy fire on a group of LTTE cadres in Ramanthapuram and Kuruvilkulam on Wednesday and caused heavy damages to the Tiger cadres.

In a subsequent search operation, troops uncovered two T56 assault riffles, six hand grenades, 135 12.7 live ammunition, five APM, an IED, a claymore mine weighing 12kgs, two pressure mines, eight pouches and three back paks.