Air force strikes rebel targets

By V. S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, MAY 14. With ``sporadic mortar and artillery fire'' by the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) marking the fighting in Sri Lanka's northern region, the island's air force ``engaged identified'' rebel targets at positions east and south of Jaffna town.

The Government charged the LTTE with ``conscripting 140 school children despite continuing protests from parents'' adding that it had requested the International Committee of the Red Cross to ``advise the LTTE to refrain from firing shells into populated areas''.

``Troops continue to hold the forward defence localities at Colombuthurai and have repulsed all attempts by the terrorists to advance further,'' the Government said in its situation report, adding ``aircraft of the Sri Lankan air force engaged identified terrorist targets in Ariyalai, Tanankillappu and Pooneryn areas.''

Citing ``monitored LTTE transmissions'' the Government said ``terrorists have suffered heavy casualties'' and that ``their leaders have been requesting for reinforcements''. Details released by the Government on the fighting said, ``sporadic mortar and artillery fire was directed by the LTTE at the security forces at Colombuthurai. The rebels continue to fire artillery and mortars at densely-populated locations in Jaffna town.''

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