Tiger aircraft accessories found

Rafik JALALDEEN

Troops unearthed a stock of LTTE light aircraft accessories buried in a coconut grove in Theravikulam, Puthukudiyiruppu yesterday morning.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops of 11 Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment under the 57 Division which launched search operations in the Puthukudiyiruppu area, unearthed components of the light aircraft belonging to the LTTE in Theravikulam.

LTTE cadres were hiding aircraft accessories buried in a coconut grove. “The aircraft spares were neatly wrapped and concealed in polythene and were buried in a coconut grove. Troops unearthed the aircraft components with the help of backhoes,” he added.

Troops recovered four cylinder engines, three propellers, an aircraft radio set, five aircraft main wheels, three nose wheels, two partly used main wheels, four pilots’ hand phones, three battery chargers, three digital meters, three computer graphic manuals, ground marshalling torches, flying (aerial) computers, two flying simulation units, 23 runway lights, four head lights, two ordinary runway lights, bolts, transmitters, three marine radars, flying maps, 35 high speed boat engines, a water scooter laden with explosives and an aircraft towing carrier.

Meanwhile, troops of the 58 Division moving forward recovered an LTTE Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) yesterday morning in Karayanmullivaikkal.

Brigadier Nanayakkara said LTTE cadres using the MBRL fired at troops advancing to rescue civilians in the No Fire Zone. A fierce battle raged in Karayanmullivaikkal and withdrawing LTTE cadres in the face of defeat, attempted to pull the MBRL along with them. “Troops of the 58 Division confronting LTTE cadres tactically surrounded and captured the Tiger MBRL. Troops forced Tiger cadres to retreat further into the south of NFZ,” he added.