Another floating arms warehouse destroyed off Dondra

(October, 07, Galle, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka navy completely destroyed the 10th ship, which was the largest ever vessel belonged to the LTTE, by 09.30 am today the Sunday-07th October 2007, about 1700 km south of Dondra point, the southern tip of Sri Lanka within year, Military sources said,

Initially, the navy had received credible information of the arms shipment bound towards Sri Lanka carrying military hardware including Electronic Warfare (EW) Equipments, Communication Equipments, Higher powered Outboard Motors (OBMs), Water Scooters, Jet Skies, Swimmer Delivery Vehicles Radars and Geographical Positioning Systems (GPSs) other war-like materials with the intention of unloading in the Sri Lankan Coast.

The naval vessels deployed for this special mission detected LTTE ship by radar and tracked for nearly one and half days and visually detected early morning around 0530 hrs. Thereafter the naval vessel, following the international maritime laws, challenged the ship to identify. The vessel then had given bogus details which were confirmed through the Registry International Maritime Vessels Thereafter the navy ordered her to stop to which the personnel on board deterred very strongly.

After repeated warnings to stop the vessel, the naval vessels fired a few warning shots across the bows of the said vessel in furtherance in prevention of the movement of the suspicious ship.

However, they then started firing towards the naval ships without leaving no alternative for the navy other than to open fire in self defence that resulted in catching fire, going on ablaze with large and sinking of the LTTE ship.

It is believed that this ship to be the largest ever ship that belonged to LTTE and probably the last according to available intelligence.

This loss to the LTTE would completely cripple the LTTE’s supply of illegally smuggled weaponry and explosives along international waters. Eight (08) LTTE arms shipments have been destroyed, during a short span of just 13 month’s time and it is due the improvement and advancement of the naval intelligence network as well.

Meanwhile, Naval troops deployed in Mannar, in a routine foot patrol in the late hours around 11.30 pm on 06th October, seized 22 barrels of diesel each 210 litres which were lying in the beach at Kasalpadu in Pesalai- mannar.

The diesel barrels were set to be transported to un-cleared area in order to be handed over to the LTTE terrorists. There was a 14 horse power outboard motor engine too by the side to be fitted to the boat that was to be used to transport the captured diesel.

Though the area was further searched no other apprehensions or arrests were made.

The LTTE is on desperate attempts of transporting logistics for their use repeated losses at the hands of the Security Forces and transporting of them due to vigilant naval sea patrols as well as on land.