LTTE steps up Jaffna offensive

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, MARCH. 27. In a sudden escalation of offensive, the LTTE launched an attack in Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula, leaving at least 26 combatants killed. Sources in Jaffna said four civilians were also killed.

The LTTE's stepped-up offensives, codenamed `operation unceasing waves 3', commenced last night and continued today.

Fifteen LTTE cadre and 11 soldiers were reportedly killed and 23 Government troopers were injured, the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said. The fighting, which broke out on the eastern flank of the Jaffna peninsula, exposes the crucial Elephant Pass army camp, considered the terrestrial gateway to the Peninsula.

In a statement, the LTTE said a ``massive sea-borne and land attack'' was launched simultaneously on the army bases at Thalaiyadi, Chempionpattu and Maruthankerni along the eastern coast and at Pallai and Yakachchi, closer to the Elephant Pass complex.'' It claimed that an ammunition dump at the Pallai military garrison was destroyed.

Bomb detected

UNI, Reuters report:

The timely detection of a bomb in the switchboard of a Colombo- bound train from northern Vavuniya saved several security personnel returning for a vacation, police and military officials said.

The train was scheduled to leave Vavuniya at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday.

Two Sri Lankan army commandos were arrested while trying to make a getaway after allegedly robbing a bank yesterday, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported today. It said the two Lance Corporals from the army's elite commando unit were arrested ``in a daring vehicle chase soon after they had robbed the Galapatha rural bank of 37,000 rupees.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Race relations in Britain change colour
Next     : Indian warships in Israel on crucial voyage