There was a tense situation in Vavuniya on Tuesday after Sri Lankan soldiers and Special Task Force (STF) officers conducted a search operation in Puthur.
Locals expressed alarm at the numbers of officers deployed in the reported operation as well as the 'stop and searches' carried out.
According to the police, the operation followed a tip off regarding a suspect in the area, who reportedly escaped after throwing his bag into the bushes. The bag contained a pistol, four hand grenades, two mobile phones and bullets, the police said.
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