A top LTTE operative, in charge- of the procurement module in Sri Lanka was taken into custody in Chennai on yesterday.

Following specific inputs given by the State intelligence, the ’Q’ Branch police apprehended J. Thambi Annan alias Daniel (46) of Killinochi. “It is a very important catch. He is placed high in the LTTE’s hierarchy. Daniel was heading the procurement module of the outfit in Sri Lanka,” quoting the Director-General of Police (Law and Order) K.P. Jain , the Hindu said.

According to police sources, Daniel played an instrumental role in procuring major consignments, including explosive substances, for the LTTE from India and other parts of the world. He was involved in the attempts to smuggle consignments of aluminium ingots and ball bearings, which were intercepted and seized by the police in Ramanathapuram and Madurai districts in the recent months, the sources said, adding that the ‘Q’ Branch police would take custody of the Sri Lankan national, whose confessions could give leads to the source and supply network of the LTTE.