Seven soldiers killed in LTTE attacks

COLOMBO, AUG. 23. At least seven soldiers were killed and 11 injured when the LTTE attempted to over-run an army base near Mullaithivu, in north- east Sri Lanka, in the early hours today.

The military responded with air-strikes on LTTE targets in Batticaloa district. The Defence Ministry said jets bombed a LTTE base in the Kandikuruchchiaru in the Thoppigala forests, 35 km west of Batticaloa, this morning.

As many as 300 LTTE cadres were involved in the attack on the Kokkuthudvai army camp on the north-eastern coast, 20 km south of Mullaithivu, the military spokesman, Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne, said.

They were repulsed after several hours of fierce fighting. The rebels fired artillery, mortar and multi-barrel rocket launchers at the camp, hitting the nearby Janakapura army camp as well.

The LTTE cadres then physically charged at the coastal camp, capturing two bunkers before the attack was thwarted and the bunkers retrieved with the help of reinforcements from the navy.

Three soldiers died when a shell hit a trench, the spokesman said. Among the 11 wounded is an officer. The security forces said eight LTTE cadres were killed and 15 injured in the attack.

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Section  : International
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