Defence Asia

  Police STF and Air Force RSF personnel prepare to rappelling down from a MI-17 helicopter to intercept illegal sand miners. (Pics via SLAF)  By Asiri Fernando An intelligence-led operation by the Police Special Task Force (STF) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Tuesday (18 May) resulted in the arrest of 56 suspects following a land-air interception of several illegal sand mining sites near Sittar Bridge in Mutur.  The heliborne interception also netted many vehicles, boats and equipment used for illegal sand mining in the Mutur. According to the SLAF, a force of STF Commandos and members of the Air Force Regiment Special Force (RSF) raided the locations, arriving by Mi-17 helicopters, which had taken the illegal sand miners by surprise and cut off their escape routes.  The joint operation was launched based on information obtained by intelligence operatives and following the sites being surveilled by Beach King B-200 aircraft from the SLAF's No 03 Maritime Squadron. The Air Force

  Members of the STF's Special Waterborne Operation Squadron display their capabilities at Bolgoda Lake. (Pictures - Police Department)  By Asiri Fernando The Police Special Task Force (STF) had formed a new unit aimed at interdicting crime that occurs on and near rivers and water bodies. The Special Waterborne Operation Squadron is made up of sixteen STF officers who have undergone specialist training from members of the  United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and the Sri Lanka Powerboat Association.  According to Police Spokesman, DIG Ajith Rohana the team will be tasked with combating crime near and on waterbodies around the Island including; sand mining, deforestation, illegal gem mining, smuggling and illicit liquor production among others.  The specialist unit will also be called on by the police to assist them when acting on crimes being committed near water bodies, DIG Rohana added.  Over the last few years, the STF has been called on to perform a broader law enf