Colombo (PTI) Sri Lankan troops have so far recovered over 1.5 million landmines from the region captured from the LTTE and have expedited the process of demining the areas to facilitate the early resettlement of displaced civilians in the northern region.

The army has launched massive searches to recover the weapons of LTTE, especially claymore mines and other destructive explosives, in the northern areas.

Top defence sources said they still believe that millions of mines are buried under land in the areas which were held by the LTTE and added that Indian and Danish demining agencies are also involved in the search process besides Sri Lankan army personnel.

`We believe the number of mines buried will be high.The mines were not imported from other countries. They were manufactured by the LTTE in their areas,` the sources said, adding the troops were still recovering weapons from the eastern province.

They said people cannot be resettled in their places till the areas are completely cleared off landmines and weapons. `It is not going to be easy to resettle the people.

There is nothing that has been left by the rebels.` The sources pointed out that the number of mines will be higher in areas such as Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Pudukudiyirippu and other places where the rebels` presence was high