WANNI: TASK FORCE-8 troops, engaged in search operations in the general area East of PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU on Thursday (2) night were excited to come across another large stock of gold jewellery, that had been kept hidden, apparently by Tiger terrorists after they had been either snatched or taken forcibly from civilians to be used afterwards in exchange of money.
The findings were made around 8.00 p.m. while troops were still digging the area for LTTE explosives and other paraphernalia.
The stock contained eight hundred and fifty-two bangles, one hundred and eighty-eight small bangles, twenty damaged bangles, twenty-six bangle parts and one bracelet. Most of the bangles, made into 5-7 piece bunches had been neatly kept hidden. Those jewelleries after proper documentation were to be handed over to authorities for onward action.
Earlier, similar types of stocks were uncovered and taken for safe-keeping and gradual return to their owners afterwards.
Meanwhile, troops continued their search and clear operations in ALAWEDDI, VISUAMADU, VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL, PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU, PUTHUMATTALAN, KARIYALWAYAL and PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU West areas on Thursday (2) and recovered four 60 mm mortar bombs, nine 60 mm mortar chargers, one hundred and nineteen Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), thirty-two RPG chargers, one RPG launcher, two booby traps fixed to 81 mm mortars, one 81 mm mortar fuse, fifteen T-56 weapons, one T-56 magazine, one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven rounds of T-56 ammunition, one T-81 weapon, one T-97 weapon, one 40 mm grenade launcher, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), seventeen rounds of MPMG ammunition, one claymore mine, one claymore remote control, two 9V batteries, one YEASU hand set, two I-com sets, one T-90 weapon, three thousand six hundred and sixty-seven rounds of MPMG ammunition, three micro pistols, twelve micro pistol magazines, four cleaning rods, one 9 mm pistol with two magazines, one fuse, twelve rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, two 82 mm mortar bombs, eleven 82 mm mortar chargers, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) drum, twenty pouches, twenty-two packs, fifteen hand grenades, one anti personnel mine, one paddle gun and some weapon spare parts, most of them kept either hidden or buried.
Meanwhile, troops operating in the EAST in a search and clear operation in SORUWILA area on POLONNARUWA-BATTICALOA boader and recovered one T-56 weapon, six T-56 magazines, one hundred and eighty T-56 ammunition, ten anti personnel mines, six anti personnel mine fuses, five electric detonators, 2 kg of C-4 explosives, one remote control device, one box filled with ball bearings, three pouches on the same day (2).
In the meantime, troops of Police Special Task Force (STF) on a tip off conducted a search operation in VERUGAL ISLAND area, VAKARAI Thursday (2) around 1.30 p.m. and recovered 5.5 kg of C-4 explosives and six feet long twenty Bangalore torpedoes buried in the area.
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