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New Delhi, Sep 11: Top LTTE terrorist Kumaran Padmanathan alias KP, a key accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been arrested in Bangkok and the CBI has sought his immediate extradition from Thailand. KP allegedly financed the assassination.
 
Soon after Padmanathan's arrest on Monday, the CBI approached the Thai government, giving details of the case pending against him, and sought its assistance in handing him over to face trial in India, sources in the agency said.

The sources said details were still trickling in and initial information suggested he was nabbed after three LTTE militants were detained last month in Thailand's Ranong province while trying to buy guns and 45,000 rounds of ammunition.

The three militants and Padmanathan were suspected to be involved in a LTTE gun-running network based in Thailand, they said.

Padmanathan has been declared one of the most wanted terrorists by Interpol as he is suspected to be a key person in LTTE's global network for procuring weapons and other equipment.

Jane's Defence Intelligence Review, the premier London- based defence magazine, recently reported that the LTTE had two international wings -- KP Department and Aiyanna Group -- that are engaged in global terrorist activities.