The Hindu : National : Sri Lanka strikes at LTTE gathering point

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Sri Lanka strikes at LTTE gathering point

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Sunday claimed to have “launched precision air strikes at a high-profile LTTE gathering point” in Vaddakachchi in the non-liberated Kilinochchi district.

A statement by the Defence Ministry said the air raid was conducted based on real time ground information received. Vaddakachchi is located approximately eight km northeast of the Iranamadu Tank.

In a report, pro-LTTE TamilNet alleged that four civilians were wounded at Vaddakkachchi, along Paranthan Mullaiththeevu road when two SLAF bombers attacked a residential area. It said six houses were damaged in the aerial attack, according to initial details.

The air raids came a day after LTTE “celebrated Black Tigers” (suicide wing of the Tigers) at an undisclosed location in Kilinochchi. TamilNet released photographs of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran receiving ‘music albums’ on the Black Tigers from head of LTTE Intelligence Wing S. Poddu, special commander of the Sea Tigers Col. Soosai, head of LTTE’s Military Intelligence Ratnam, political head B. Nadesan, head of LTTE’s military academies Col. Aathavan and a commander of the Sea Tigers, Naren.

TamilNet, in a report, said that LTTE leader participated in the Black Tigers commemoration day events held in Vanni. “356 Black Tigers have laid down their lives, 254 of them in sea operations, during the last 21 years since 5 July 1987, when the first Black Tiger Captain Miller, drove an explosive-laden truck on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops garrisoned at Nelliyadi Central College in Vadamaraadchi in Jaffna,” the website said.

The military claimed that at least 19 LTTE cadres were killed and 27 other wounded in Wanni.

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