Security forces kill six gun-runners

An Army spokesman said the seized arms included 150 guns and 40,000 rounds of ammunition. According to him, "mopping-up operations" were still being carried out in the area.

Air Force helicopters, Coast Guard vessels and Navy landing-crafts were all involved in the action. The services of the Marine commandos and one company of the Madras Regiment were also roped in. The Fortress Commander, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was in command of the operation.

The Defence Ministry said the arms were meant for insurgents in the North-East. Although thenationalities of the gun-runners were not immediately known, the Ministry claimed that none of them were Indians.

The source of the arms was also not disclosed. However, officials said they were probably routed through the Far East or South-East Asia. Earlier, the Navy had put a vigil around the islands after a tip-off on the movement of the gun-runners.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu police have seized huge quantities of explosives in various raids conducted across the State in the past few days. Thirteen people have been arrested so far, said State Director General of Police PC Sharma.

Addressing a press conference, Sharma said explosives, detonators and other material had been seized from Chennai, Chengalpattu East, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Pudukottai and Tuticorin districts.

He said investigations were being carried out to establish whether all those involved in the seizures belonged to a particular organisation. The purpose for which these explosives were stored was also beinginvestigated, the Director General of Police added.