PTI

Colombo, Mar 21: Elusive LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his son Charles Anthony are believed to be hiding in deep bunkers in the rebel-held Pudukudiyyirippu area and come out occasionally to tell the civilians not to leave their homes.

Prabhakaran and Charles, who is believed to be the head of the 'Air Tigers', were spotted in the 'no fire zone' in Pudukudiyyirippu in non-military attire and the duo come out occasionally to mix with civilians.

"The LTTE leader has been seen with his son Charles Anthony Seelan in public. The duo, most of the time, are hiding in an underground bunker," the defence ministry said quoting sources.

"The army sources quoting Tamil civilians who have escaped the area said both of them have from time to time have come out from the bunkers and explained to the non-cadres of the LTTE the importance of rising up against the government forces," the ministry said in a report on its website.

The report said the escaped civilians had told the army that Prabhakaran and Charles come out of the bunker in non-military attire to speak to the civilians.