ID :
18725
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 09:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/18725
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Two Indians hurt in LTTE airstrike, 22 killed in Lanka clashes
T V Sriram
Colombo, Sep 9 (PTI) Two Indian radar technicians were wounded when Tamil Tigers staged an air attack on a strategic Sri lankan military base Tuesday, but were chased by Air Force fighters which for the first time shot down one of the planes.
The Tigers' air strike on the military base in Vavuniya came as part of a brazen counter-attack by the rebels that led to heavy fighting on the ground in which 22 people, including 10 soldiers and equal number of guerrillas were killed.
Sources said the two Indians, identified as Roop and Thakur, were carrying out maintenance and training of Sri Lankan personnel manning an Indian-supplied radar at the northern airbase.
The two were evacuated for treatment to Colombo, sources
said. They were stated to be out of danger.
Indian High Commission officials said the two workers
sustained minor injuries.
Air Defence radars picked up two Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (L.T.T.E.) light aircraft while they were
approaching the Vavuniya area early Tuesday morning, Air Force
spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
"One of the aircraft has been shot down in the Mullaitivu
skies while running away following the failed mission,"
Nanayakkara said. This is the first time that Sri Lankan
fighters have been able to intercept an L.T.T.E. light
aircraft.
The L.T.T.E. aircraft appeared to have been part of a
massive ground attack launched by the rebels aimed at a
complex of Sri Lankan air and land bases.
So far, L.T.T.E., which is believed to have four light
fighters in its armoury have carried out three to four daring
missions in the heart of the island nation, eluding radars and
fighters.
The latest L.T.T.E. attack targeting the base at Vavuniya
was the first major rebel strike in government-held areas
since the military began capturing large swathes of Tiger
strongholds in restive northern Sri Lanka.
According to reports, the Tigers launched a pre-dawn
ground assault coordinated with artillery fire and the air
raid.
"The L.T.T.E. launched artillery fire targeting the army
camp in order to prevent counter-attack and directed their
ground assault at the airbase," the military said.
It said 10 soldiers were killed and 15 others injured due
to the L.T.T.E. artillery fire. Ten rebels were gunned down in
the fierce battle, it said.
One police constable and a civilian were also killed and
five Air Force personnel suffered injuries in the attack.
Tamil Tiger rebels denied Sri Lankan government claims
that one of their planes was shot down.
They, however, said they lost 10 suicide bombers who took
part in the coordinated ground and air attack against the
Vavuniya military complex.
"The aircraft of the Air Tigers that participated in the
sortie safely returned home," Tiger spokesman Rasiah
Ilanthiriyan said in a statement. PTI SDG
Colombo, Sep 9 (PTI) Two Indian radar technicians were wounded when Tamil Tigers staged an air attack on a strategic Sri lankan military base Tuesday, but were chased by Air Force fighters which for the first time shot down one of the planes.
The Tigers' air strike on the military base in Vavuniya came as part of a brazen counter-attack by the rebels that led to heavy fighting on the ground in which 22 people, including 10 soldiers and equal number of guerrillas were killed.
Sources said the two Indians, identified as Roop and Thakur, were carrying out maintenance and training of Sri Lankan personnel manning an Indian-supplied radar at the northern airbase.
The two were evacuated for treatment to Colombo, sources
said. They were stated to be out of danger.
Indian High Commission officials said the two workers
sustained minor injuries.
Air Defence radars picked up two Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (L.T.T.E.) light aircraft while they were
approaching the Vavuniya area early Tuesday morning, Air Force
spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
"One of the aircraft has been shot down in the Mullaitivu
skies while running away following the failed mission,"
Nanayakkara said. This is the first time that Sri Lankan
fighters have been able to intercept an L.T.T.E. light
aircraft.
The L.T.T.E. aircraft appeared to have been part of a
massive ground attack launched by the rebels aimed at a
complex of Sri Lankan air and land bases.
So far, L.T.T.E., which is believed to have four light
fighters in its armoury have carried out three to four daring
missions in the heart of the island nation, eluding radars and
fighters.
The latest L.T.T.E. attack targeting the base at Vavuniya
was the first major rebel strike in government-held areas
since the military began capturing large swathes of Tiger
strongholds in restive northern Sri Lanka.
According to reports, the Tigers launched a pre-dawn
ground assault coordinated with artillery fire and the air
raid.
"The L.T.T.E. launched artillery fire targeting the army
camp in order to prevent counter-attack and directed their
ground assault at the airbase," the military said.
It said 10 soldiers were killed and 15 others injured due
to the L.T.T.E. artillery fire. Ten rebels were gunned down in
the fierce battle, it said.
One police constable and a civilian were also killed and
five Air Force personnel suffered injuries in the attack.
Tamil Tiger rebels denied Sri Lankan government claims
that one of their planes was shot down.
They, however, said they lost 10 suicide bombers who took
part in the coordinated ground and air attack against the
Vavuniya military complex.
"The aircraft of the Air Tigers that participated in the
sortie safely returned home," Tiger spokesman Rasiah
Ilanthiriyan said in a statement. PTI SDG
