MADRAS: Indian navy has apprehended two LTTE vessels bringing a large quantity of weapons from Nadu and arrested to Lankan Tamil militants including an un named important LTTE functionary on Nov.9, One of the vessel sank several hours later.
This was one of the biggest seizures of arms and explosives belonging to the militant group.
Annual ship and a Dornier aircraft intercepted the vessels Friday, chased them for distance and caught them about 10.5 km off the Karaikal coast.
The sources said the navy, after receiving intelligence reports that LTTE militants were likely to land a big cache of arms in Tamil Nadu, stepped up vigil along the coast two boats were located. They were apprehended after a chase.
The sources said the militants began dumping a big quantity of arms into the sea but a hand-written inventory of items being carried in the vessels was recovered.
Explosives, activated charcoal lime, high frequency wireless sets, VCRs, video cassettes and a large quantity of batteries for use in explosives were recovered.
The sources said the vessels, about 22 meters long, were coming from Singapore and were on their way to Jaffna, Al the 10 militants on board carried fake Sri Lankan refugees cards.-
Article extracted from this publication >> November 15, 1991
