Three LTTE cadres killed in clashes; jets attack tiger base

T V Sriram

Colombo, Nov 2 (PTI) At least three L.T.T.E. cadres,
including two university students, were killed during
confrontations with security forces, who also used fighter
jets to target a tiger logistics base, in the embattled north.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded an L.T.T.E.
training and logistic base located in the Iranamadu area in
Mullattivu district this morning, the air force said, adding
the fighter jets accurately hit the target.

The targeted L.T.T.E. base was located 2.5 Km north of
Iranamadu jungle and it was engaged around 7.00 am, Air Force
spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

In ground clashes Sunday, troops of the 611 Brigade
detecting an L.T.T.E. bid to infiltrate the military defences
at Sundarapuram, Vavuniya, directed a small arms fire attack
forcing rebels to flee with casualties, Defence Ministry said.

Subsequently, during a search operation conducted in the
area troops found an L.T.T.E. cadre's body along with a mobile
phone and one micro pistol. The body was later handed over to
the Vavuniya police, security sources said.

Meanwhile, in Jaffna, one Tiger rebel was killed, while
another consumed cyanide when security personnel on foot
patrol in Ariyale attempted to question them, defence sources
in Jaffna said.

The suspect, who swallowed cyanide, died instantly and
the other who fired at troops while escaping was also killed
in retaliatory fire, they said.

"The person who swallowed Cyanide now confirmed to be an
L.T.T.E. cadre has a student identity card) of the University
of Jaffna in his possession introducing him as Sellthurai
Purusothaman of Kaithady North, Kaithady and a student of
Faculty of Art," the defence ministry said.

The other person killed in security forces' retaliation
had a student I.D. issued by Medical Faculty of University of
Jaffna in his possession, the ministry said.

Magisterial inquiries were held and the bodies were taken
to Teaching Hospital in Jaffna for further investigation.

Late reports said that in search operations in Andankulam
in North-east Welioya, security forces on Friday recovered 184
Anti-personnel Mines and 10 Improvised Explosive Devices.

Meanwhile, several incidents of clashes were reported
from Andankulam yesterday, the Media Centre for National
Security (M.C.N.S.) said adding, troops also sustained minor
damage.

It was also reported that heavy damage was inflicted on
the L.T.T.E. during a confrontation Saturday afternoon in
Thannimurippu Area in Welioya, the M.C.N.S. said.