The police have nabbed an underworld figure known as Army Jine or Datha and two of his accomplices responsible for a number of robberies and killings in the Southern Province.

By the time of their arrest at Ambalangoda recently, there had been two hand grenades and a knife in their possession, the Meetiyagoda police said.

The police believe they will be able to trace some more weapons after interrogating the suspects.

A few days before the gang was busted, Army Jine had robbed a grocery store and got away with 600,000 rupees. The police said he had also been involved in a murder committed in Yakkalamulla about two months ago.

The police have recovered 24 mobile phones, a television set and a VCD player the gang had robbed in the recent past.

The Meetiyagoda police are conducting investigations.