Prabhakaran had US-made rifle

An US-made rifle, which doubled as a grenade launcher and apparently used by Tamil Tiger chief V. Prabhakaran, was recovered among a huge haul of guns and hundreds of kilograms of explosives from north-eastern Sri Lanka in the last 24 hours, reports Sutirtho Patranobis.

An US-made rifle, which doubled as a grenade launcher and apparently used by Tamil Tiger chief V. Prabhakaran, was recovered among a huge haul of guns and hundreds of kilograms of explosives from north-eastern Sri Lanka in the last 24 hours.

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A staggering 2000kgs of explosives were among the recoveries, the defence ministry said.

Reports said the M-16 A2 rifle-cum-grenade launcher used by Prabhakaran was buried at least 15 feet underground along with his body armour in the Mullaitivu district. The final stage of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was fought in a thin strip of coastal land in Mullaitivu district.

Senior deputy inspector general of police for Vavuniya Nimal Lewke confirmed to reporters that the M-16A2 grenade launcher was used by the LTTE leader as his personal weapon. The information about the whereabouts was given by an LTTE cadre in custody.

Along with the gun, 125 suicide kits, 50 mortar bombs, 25 anti aircraft guns were found buried under a forested patch in the district.