Hidden LTTE arsenal unearthed

Rafik Jalaldeen

Security Forces continuing operations to uncover remaining LTTE war material have recovered 135,000 pieces of 5.54X39mm ammunition and a cache of arms and explosives from liberated areas in the North. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops of the 57 division conducting search operations in Vishvamadu area on Monday afternoon found 110 RPG HE rounds, 149 RPG HE rounds, five 60mm mortar bombs and five claymore mines.

Meanwhile, Task Force VIII launching extensive search operations has uncovered a haul of arms and ammunition in the Vellaimullivaikkal area throughout Monday, sources said.

Troops recovered 135,000 pieces of 5.54X39mm ammunition, an M-16 weapon, two T97 weapons and four magazines, 55,815 pieces of 7.62X1.7 ammunition, 749 APM 39-2 grenade launcher cartridges, 1,200 DFS 87-35 grenade launcher cartridges, 540 of 3.97X40mm grenade launcher cartridges, 1,452 pieces of 5.95X40mm grenade launcher cartridges, 4,600 pieces of 0.22mm ammunition, 700 T56 ammunition, a compass, five claymore mines tripods, 49 hand grenades, four detonators and an I-com set.

The Task Force VIII also recovered a T56 rifle, seven T56 rounds, 200 T56 ammunition, 220 GPMG ammunition, two RPG weapons and two claymore mines in Puthukudiyiruppu area on Monday.

He said Task Force II continuing search and mopping up operations separately in Puthukudiyiruppu area recovered a cache of arms on Monday. Troops recovered 14 artillery shell fuse boxes, 51 RPG rounds, 76 of 81mm mortar bombs, a 120mm mortar round, 75 of 152mm mortar shells, 50 claymore mines, 140 johnny mines, 77 hand grenades, 53 pressure mines, 39 of 60mm mortar bombs, a 60mm mortar weapon, three 81mm mortar barrels, 24 of 122mm mortar shells, four of 130mm shells, three anti-tank mines, 356 T56 ammunition, an RPG HE round, seven detonators, four of 12.7mm barrels, nine of 7.62X54mm barrels, five bottles of chemicals and 70kg bicycle ball bearings.