KP, the LTTE's new chief negotiator

The military has unveiled a secret plan of the LTTE to shield the identity of the LTTE's international arms smuggler, popularly known as KP (Kumaran Pathmanadan).

The disguised KP has been designated as the LTTE's chief negotiator and the international spokesman under the name Selvarajan Pathmanadan, recently.

The LTTE is apparently trying to camouflage the identity of KP in an effort to conceal his previous arms rackets. " He has been instructed to procure arms and ammunition for the LTTE using his new designation as international spokesman as a cover", the informed sources said.

According to sources, the LTTE leader has urged Selvarajan Pathmanadan to use his new credentials to visit all countries and procure arms and ammunitions to the LTTE which is facing its final battle.

Earlier, the LTTE's international spokesman was Anton Balasingham.

KP alias Kumaran alias Selvarajan Pathmanadan is a most wanted person by the Interpol and several intelligence agencies including the FBI for his involvement as the LTTE's key arms smuggler.

According to sources, KP who has been blacklisted as a key procurement agent of the LTTE operates from Thailand. "He has been all over South East Asia procuring arms and ammunition for the LTTE. These procurements range from small arms and ammunition to Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMS), Chinese built 130mm, 152mm artillery pieces, and several cargo ships and Czech built Zlin 143 aircraft", they said.

Informed sources said that several countries have refused to accept KP as the LTTE's chief negotiator and international spokesman despite the LTTE's repeated requests.

Meanwhile, the Norwegians have assured of the custody of Selvarajan if he is caught by the international intelligence agencies, sources claimed.

According to sources the LTTE has a strong international procurement link to smuggle arms and ammunition into the country and operates a shipping network in international waters. "These ships are used as `floating warehouses' to carry large stocks of arms and ammunition.

The LTTE shipping network has operated in Indonesian, Malaysian and Chinese waters and largely in the Bay of Bengal carrying arms and ammunition. In 2006 and 2007, the Sri Lankan Navy managed to destroy several LTTE floating warehouses operated in the Bay of Bengal", they said.

Courtesy - Daily News