Senior LTTE intelligence official arrested

A top LTTE intelligence operator was nabbed by the authorities today from the national capital along with high explosives, months after the group was annihilated by Sri Lankan army.

Pakyaraja Pradeep, a prominent LTTE cadre, was arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) and when overpowered was carrying cyanide capsules.

The intelligence officials are questioning the man whether he was in the capital to carry out any suicide attack.

When caught, Pradeep was found to be carrying 7.5 kg of square bombs containing high explosives which could be detonated by remote control or a mobile phone, officials said.

A resident of the capital, who apparently sheltered the LTTE leader and explosive was also taken into custody. Later on information provided by the resident, who was not named, the intelligence officials recovered 10 suicide vests.

 

Meanwhile, the officers of Vavuniya police on patrol duty at Purvarisomkulam junction, today zeroed in on a suspicious motor cycle, the defence ministry said.

While the person riding pillion managed to escape, the police found a foreign made hand bomb from the rider's trouser pocket. A cyanide capsule was also worn around his neck.

The motor cycle apprehended was revealed to be a stolen one, the ministry said, adding that the police are conducting further investigations.