The Hindu : National : LTTE landing was a false alarm, says Kerala DGP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

LTTE landing was a false alarm, says Kerala DGP

Staff Reporter

ARTHUNKAL (Kerala): Director-General of Police Jacob Punnoose has confirmed as false the alarm raised about the possible landing of LTTE militants on the Pallipuram coast in Alappuzha district on Monday.

The police sounded a State-wide alert after Navy personnel operating remote-controlled ‘drones’ reconnaissance aircraft reported having spotted a group of unidentified persons landing on the Pallipuram coast in Alappuzha district on Monday afternoon. Official sources said the operators of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reported that the men, numbering around 15, were found carrying something resembling “rucksacks” (similar to those used by the men involved in the Mumbai attack) while stepping off a fishing boat. The UAV, which was on a sortie off the Cherthala coast following intelligence reports of possible LTTE arrival, photographed suspicious activities at Pallippuram.

Mr. Punnoose said the boats and its owners were traced with local assistance. They were fishermen returning after a couple of days in the high seas. The material they were carrying were outboard engines, fishing nets and kerosene cans.

He said he visited the houses of these fishermen to ascertain the facts. He refused to identify them. Even though it was a false alarm, the police could act at the right moment, he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National