rapa
02-21-2007, 08:39 PM
An LTTE attempt to procure a large consignment of urgently needed arms, ammunition and equipment, from one of Sri Lanka's key weapons suppliers went awry recently, following swift government action to stop the deal, informed sources said, adding that the list was believed to have included a stock of artillery shells and mortars. Had they succeeded, it would have posed a serious threat to the ongoing military efforts, the source said.
The government had intervened after the LTTE finalised the multi million dollar transaction, the first of its kind with this particular supplier. Sources said authorities had acted swiftly after Sri Lanka pointed out the alleged link between the LTTE and the arms supplier. An investigation is believed to be underway.
Speculation in defence and diplomatic circles is that the LTTE is seeking to expand its network of suppliers in the backdrop of stepped up efforts to block, what an authoritative official termed as, 'the enemy's traditional sources'. Sri Lanka is confident that the planned transaction had been arranged without the knowledge of the government. "We expect authorities to identify the culprits and prevent any further transaction," the sources said.
Recent abortive efforts by the US-based LTTE operatives and their agents to procure armaments including ground-to-air SA 18 anti-aircraft missiles had been a part of this strategy.
The LTTE, had, over a period of time, acquired armaments through sources operating in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The recent recovery of several 152 mm artillery pieces and 120 mm mortars by troops engaged in search operations in the Vakarai region fuelled speculation that they had been acquired from a former Soviet bloc country.
LTTE attempts to replenish its arsenal had been largely crippled due to a series of successful operations conducted by the SLN since the seizure an Indian Dhow on January 26 last year. The SLN recovered over 60,000 electrical detonators manufactured in India. Subsequent to the detection made off Kachchathivu, the SLN detected several craft including Kusum northeast of Talaimannar on February 11, Biyanda duwa seized east of Point Pedro on March 21, Vasantha Devi destroyed west of Kudiramalai point, Kalpitiya on March 21, a large ship destroyed 120 nautical miles east of Kalmunai on September 16, trawler destroyed 32 nautical miles west of Arippu on October 15, Logistical boat destroyed near 5th Sand Bank on October 31,trawler destroyed 50 nautical miles west of Kudiramalai point on November 14, trawler destroyed near Sand Banks on November 14, trawler destroyed 50 nautical miles west of Udappuwa on November 27 and two boats six nautical miles northwest of Battalangunduwa on February 16. The SLN categorised the vessel destroyed on September 16 as a merchant vessel. It is the first merchant vessel sunk since the destruction of Shoshin off Mullaitivu on June 14, 2003. Altogether seven merchant vessels had been destroyed since the first destruction war back in January, 1991 off Point Pedro by the Indian Navy.
In the backdrop of SLN's success, India had mounted a crackdown on LTTE activity. Both the navy and the Indian Coast Guard recently made several arrests in the Indian waters. Sri Lankan officials expressed the belief that Indian would give them an opportunity to interrogate the suspects as it would help local authorities in their investigations. The sources expressed belief that a coordinated action plan involving the SLN and its Indian counterparts would be crucial to cripple LTTE operations.
The naval blockade had largely contributed to the success of security forces on the ground.
The government had intervened after the LTTE finalised the multi million dollar transaction, the first of its kind with this particular supplier. Sources said authorities had acted swiftly after Sri Lanka pointed out the alleged link between the LTTE and the arms supplier. An investigation is believed to be underway.
Speculation in defence and diplomatic circles is that the LTTE is seeking to expand its network of suppliers in the backdrop of stepped up efforts to block, what an authoritative official termed as, 'the enemy's traditional sources'. Sri Lanka is confident that the planned transaction had been arranged without the knowledge of the government. "We expect authorities to identify the culprits and prevent any further transaction," the sources said.
Recent abortive efforts by the US-based LTTE operatives and their agents to procure armaments including ground-to-air SA 18 anti-aircraft missiles had been a part of this strategy.
The LTTE, had, over a period of time, acquired armaments through sources operating in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The recent recovery of several 152 mm artillery pieces and 120 mm mortars by troops engaged in search operations in the Vakarai region fuelled speculation that they had been acquired from a former Soviet bloc country.
LTTE attempts to replenish its arsenal had been largely crippled due to a series of successful operations conducted by the SLN since the seizure an Indian Dhow on January 26 last year. The SLN recovered over 60,000 electrical detonators manufactured in India. Subsequent to the detection made off Kachchathivu, the SLN detected several craft including Kusum northeast of Talaimannar on February 11, Biyanda duwa seized east of Point Pedro on March 21, Vasantha Devi destroyed west of Kudiramalai point, Kalpitiya on March 21, a large ship destroyed 120 nautical miles east of Kalmunai on September 16, trawler destroyed 32 nautical miles west of Arippu on October 15, Logistical boat destroyed near 5th Sand Bank on October 31,trawler destroyed 50 nautical miles west of Kudiramalai point on November 14, trawler destroyed near Sand Banks on November 14, trawler destroyed 50 nautical miles west of Udappuwa on November 27 and two boats six nautical miles northwest of Battalangunduwa on February 16. The SLN categorised the vessel destroyed on September 16 as a merchant vessel. It is the first merchant vessel sunk since the destruction of Shoshin off Mullaitivu on June 14, 2003. Altogether seven merchant vessels had been destroyed since the first destruction war back in January, 1991 off Point Pedro by the Indian Navy.
In the backdrop of SLN's success, India had mounted a crackdown on LTTE activity. Both the navy and the Indian Coast Guard recently made several arrests in the Indian waters. Sri Lankan officials expressed the belief that Indian would give them an opportunity to interrogate the suspects as it would help local authorities in their investigations. The sources expressed belief that a coordinated action plan involving the SLN and its Indian counterparts would be crucial to cripple LTTE operations.
The naval blockade had largely contributed to the success of security forces on the ground.