Navy Recovered a remote controlled air craft from Sea Tiger Boat (Update)

(October, 11, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka Navy's Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC’s) attacked and captured two LTTE boats off Thalaimannar today (11th October) around 5.30 a.m.

The LTTE boats were first detected on the radar screen on board the IPC’s. Subsequently, they were intercepted five nautical miles north of Thalaimannar. The boats were heading towards Vedithalthivu in the un-cleared area to unload its precious cargo when the Navy intercepted them. Upon sighting the SLN IPC's, the LTTE boats had attempted to flee by firing upon the pursuing SLN craft. However, the SLN IPC’s successfully repulsed the enemy fire and mounted counter attack immobilising the two enemy craft in the ensuing gun battle. Four LTTE cadres on board had fallen in to the sea after the naval attack and are presumed dead. Intercepted LTTE communications reveal that one LTTE self-styled Lieutenant Colonel Manni was among the dead.

In the subsequent search operation carried out after the sea confrontation, naval personnel have recovered a large haul of war equipment including a remote controlled air craft with a 5.5 feet long fuselage having a wing span of approximately 13 feet. It was remote-controlled enabling it be deployed on aerial attacks and surveillance missions. There was, in addition, a toy-type helicopter with remote controls to be used for the same purpose had the occasion arose.

Among the recovered items are 300 litres of hydraulic oil in 15 cans, each containing 20 litres, four ICOM sets, ten GPS's, four satellite phones, 100 PCB's and 45 antennas used for radio sets.
The two boats have been towed to the naval base at Thalaimannar.

For the first time in the history of the military operations against the LTTE, Sri Lanka Navy has been able to capture an aircraft in the possession of the enemy.