The operation was aimed at searching the house of 'Ramanan' who, according to the army, is currently the headof the LTTE's intelligence in Batticaloa.
The Police and Sri Lankan army intelligence claim that he is the master mind behind most of the bombs which have gone off in the south and the attacks in the Yala and Kadirgamam (Kattaragma in Sinhalese).
His parents and relatives had been questioned and some identity papers were removed by the STF from his house said sources.
No one was allowed to enter the area until 10.30 a.m. this morning when the STF withdrew from Palugamam and across the Pattiruppu bridge
