LR Jegadheesan BBC News, Chennai

	Coast Guard officials say they were forced to fire prevent vessel fleeing

According to Commander S. Mukherjee of the Indian Navy, "Three Sri Lankan Tamils were arrested along with one hundred and twenty five sacks of spare parts and bomb making equipment."

Indian officials ceased two other vessels earlier on Tuesday and on Monday.

Sri Lankan nationals

The officials said a Coast Guard ship spotted a "suspicious" vessel in Palk Bay on Tuesday night and had to use fire-arms to prevent it from fleeing.

Five people--three Sri Lankan nationals and two Indians --were on board the vessel which had been camouflaged to look like an ordinary fishing boat.

Three Sri Lankan Tamils were arrested along with one hundred and twenty five sacks of spare parts and bomb making equipment Indian Navy Commander S Mukherjee

The officials said automatic rifles, five hand grenades, a suicidal belt strapped with explosives, five detonators, a large quantity of liquid chemicals and a satellite phone have been found on the boat.

The five people have been detained and will be jointly questioned by various security agencies. Coast Guard officials said the boat was to be handed over at Cuddalore in the state.

They said it seems the substances in the boat were to be used to manufacture bombs and other destructive materials.

Meanwhile, the vessel is being taken to the the harbour in the Madras and media persons are being taken to the site.