THE FOURTH TAMIL TIGER CLAYMORE MINE ATTACK CLAIMS LIVES OF ELEVEN SOLDIERS
- Continuing cycle of Tamil Tiger (LTTE) terrorism in the north was repeated at PULOLY west, JAFFNA this afternoon (27) at about 12.45 noon when LTTE terrorists ambushed an Army truck carrying soldiers proceeding on leave and killed eleven soldiers in another brutal claymore mine attack. Two other Army vehicles that followed the affected truck with another batch of soldiers escaped unaffected. Four more soldiers on the truck sustained severe injuries and evacuated to PALALY Military hospital after initial treatment in this fourth claymore mine attack on Security Forces and Policemen within a span of four weeks beginning 4th December 2005. The three vehicles were heading for PALALY from POINT PEDRO when terrorists detonated the claymore mine from a distant venue. The vehicle was badly damaged in the explosion. Initial reports pointed that a group of Tamil Tigers in hiding had triggered off the claymore mine explosion, most probably using a remote control device while both vehicles were passing the location at PULOLY west. LTTE terrorists, in the recent few weeks has committed a series of brutal assassinations of service and police personnel, murders of innocent civilians and anti-LTTE political activists, grenade and fire attacks and other criminal acts, irrespective of repeated global and local appeals to the LTTE leadership to desist from resorting to violence. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was intimated of this latest criminal act of the
LTTE. On 4th December this year, Tamil Tigers (LTTE) activated a claymore mine killing seven soldiers on a tractor at KONDAVIL in JAFFNA while it was on the JAFFNA – PALALY main road. Barely 48 hours after the slaying at KONDAVIL, Tamil Tigers in hiding triggered one more claymore mine close to IRUPPALAI centre, NALLUR on 6th December 2005 claiming the lives of eight more soldiers. In this brutal explosion, one Army Officer and six soldiers died. Again on 23rd December 2005, LTTE terrorists blew up two Navy vehicles (bus and truck) and killed thirteen naval troops at NADUKUDA, MANNAR. Three more sailors, sustained injuries in the explosion, were admitted to hospital. LTTE terrorists since 1st December 2005 have to-date butchered twenty-eight (28) Army personnel, fourteen (14) sailors of the Navy, three (03) Policemen including Home Guards while all of them were on duty at respective places in the northeast and elsewhere. Similarly, unimpeded LTTE fire and grenade attacks on the Security Forces and the Police after 1st December 2005 have so far injured a total of forty-one (41) Army personnel, three (03) sailors and thirty-one (31) Policemen in addition to other Tamil Tiger terrorist acts including the fire attack on helicopter carrying an Italian delegation, two naval craft and the murder of Parliamentarian Mr. JOSEPH PARARAJASINGHAM (TNA MP) during Christmas prayers, to cite a few.
Mine blast kills 11 more soldiers
- The violence and tension in the north continued yesterday with at least eleven soldiers, including two military intelligence men, being killed and five injured in yet another LTTE claymore mine attack at Puloly West on the
Jaffna-Point Pedro road in Jaffna around 12.50 p.m. The soldiers were in a bus in a convoy of three vehicles travelling from Point Pedro to Palaly for administrative work when they were attacked.
Yesterday’s attack brought the December death toll among security forces to 44 — making it the worst month since the ceasefire in February 2002 between the government and the
LTTE. “When the convoy reached the 1st Mile post at Puloly the mine exploded ripping apart the bus carrying the soldiers and also damaged the other two vehicles. Ten soldiers were killed on the spot,” an army spokesman said.
The injured security forces personnel were rushed to the Palaly Military Hospital.
One soldier died later in the hospital. After the attack, the security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Point Pedro bus depot area where the explosion occurred.
He said that in the aftermath of the attack, the security forces had opened fire at the LTTE cadres and several were believed to have been injured.
So far this month 18 soldiers have been killed in two similar attacks in the Jaffna Peninsula. Four days ago the LTTE also ambushed a Navy convoy and killed at least 13 sailors.
With three policemen also being killed in various incidents, 44 security forces personnel have perished in the north this month while 75 were injured.
The latest attack came two days after gunmen killed TNA Parliamentary Group leader Joseph Pararajasingham during Christmas service at St. Mary’s Cathedral in
Batticaloa. According to a Tiger radio message intercepted by the military, the LTTE leadership has instructed its Batticaloa cadres to carry out attacks on the military in the wake of the killing of Mr.
Pararajasingham.
Ten soldiers killed by Tiger mine
- Ten soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a powerful claymore mine explosion, triggered by the LTTE, in the Jaffna peninsula, army Headquarters spokesman said.
They were ambushed at Puloly (west) in the peninsula, where 14 soldiers were killed in two similar attacks earlier this month, he said. The blast ripped through their vehicle around 12.50 pm, he said.
Initial reports said that troops were in a convoy transporting lunch for their colleagues. Inquiries revealed that they were on their way home. "They were off duty personnel coming on leave," he said.
Four days ago the LTTE carried out an attack at Pesalai killing at least 13 sailors and wounding an equal
number.
Policeman shot by Tiger
- A policeman, who attempted to body-search an LTTE pistol gang cadre near Park Road
in Vavuniya, was critically injured yesterday (27) when the LTTE man shot him with a pistol he was carrying.
The policeman identified as Abeykoon (10156) was rushed to the Vavuniya hospital and later transferred to the Anuradhapura hospital.
The incident took place when a joint police-army search operation was being conducted around 11.30 a.m. in the town.
Police sources said two men were passing the area where the Army and the Police were conducting the operation when the constable stopped the two men passing. One of them had pulled out a pistol, shot the police constable and fled. The other man was however arrested and detained for questioning.
Army and police have started a joint cordon and search operation to apprehend the suspect on the information given by the man
arrested.
Two three-wheeler drivers killed in Trinco
- The LTTE gunmen shot dead Ramanan and knifed Wijeseelan to death Sunday night in two separate incidents in Trincomalee, security sources said.
The body of Wijeseelan was recovered from the Kanniya-Wilgam Vihare junction, and the body of Ramanan was recovered near fourth milepost along Trincomalee-Kandy highway with gunshot injuries. Both were three-wheeler drivers, Police said.
The LTTE cadres hired their three-wheelers separately. Ramanan went with persons hired his three-wheeler towards fourth-mile post at about 7.45 p.m. Sunday, witnesses told police.
Wijeseelan went with three-wheeler with hired persons Sunday night around 11.45 p.m, police was told.
Bodies of both persons were recovered Monday morning, sources said. Trincomalee Police is conducting investigation into these
deaths.
Police Constable on foot patrol, the latest Tamil Tiger prey
- A motorbike-riding Tamil Tiger (LTTE) gunman in broad daylight this afternoon (27) at about 1.00 p.m. brutally gunned down one more Police Constable (PC) at PANDIRIPPU, KALMUNAI center while he was on foot patrol with others. The Police Constable, MOHAMMED MEERA NIYAZ along with several other Policemen was on a foot patrol in the area when the hiding gunman fired on him and fled the area. The Policeman died on admission to the hospital. One more Policeman injured in the attack was evacuated to the hospital. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was to be informed. The KALMUNAI Police investigations are on.
LTTE grenade & fire attacks continue as usual - A pre-dawn Tamil Tiger (LTTE) fire attack on troops around 2.50 a.m. Tuesday (27) early morning injured one soldier on duty in the general area of COLOMBUTHURAI in
JAFFNA. Private RUWAN SAMEERA who received injuries in this LTTE criminal act fire was referred to the Main Dressing Station of the 51 Division for treatment. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was informed. Meanwhile, two more Army points in the general areas of JAFFNA, NAVATKADU and east of ARIYALAI came under Tamil Tiger (LTTE) hand grenade attacks Monday (26) evening between 5.50 – 7.45 p.m. Terrorists fled the area as troops began to retaliate the fire at
ARIYALAI. One more hand grenade, lobbed by Tamil Tigers on an Army point on the KODIKAMAM – VARANI road on Monday around 1.40 p.m. failed to cause any injury or damage to own troops. In this explosion detonated by Tamil Tigers hiding behind some houses of the civilians’ exploded after it was thrown. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was informed.
Tamil Tigers strike at Hindu Priest - Two unidentified gunmen from the LTTE have shot and injured a Hindu Priest in the general area of AKKARAIPATTU Monday (26) around 5.30 p.m.
Injured Priest Rev. KURUKKAL SUBRAMANIYAM SADEESH KUMAR (23) of the KALI KOVIL at KOLAVIL, AKKARAIPATTU was fired upon by those two gunmen on push bicycles near the PISCAL Junction,
AKKARAIPATTU. The gunmen afterwards have fled the area after snatching the motorbike of the victim. The injured Priest was admitted to hospital. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was informed. The AKKARAIPATTU Police are conducting further investigations.
PLOTE Regional leader in VAVUNIYA gunned down - The regional leader of the People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) party in VAVUNIYA was brutally gunned down by Tamil Tigers (LTTE) Monday (26) afternoon around 4.45 p.m. while he was in front of his office in the general area of RAMBAKULAM on the VAVUNIYA – HOROWPOTHANA main road. The slain, VEERAPPU THIRUPATHY alias THIRUPATHY MASTER (53), one of the most active political members of the PLOTE was inside the tea kiosk opposite his office with another PLOTE member when the passing LTTE gunman directed fire at him. The PLOTE regional leader with severe gunshot injuries fell dead after he was rushed to the VAVUNIYA hospital. His friend, POULIS ONASIOUS (36) who was with him for tea also, received injuries and was admitted to hospital. As recent as 12 December 2005, Tamil Tigers in VAVUNIYA abducted one more senior PLOTE cadre while he was in MYLANKULAM in VAVUNIYA, instigating hundreds of civilians to protest against the LTTE’s culture of violence. (See Situation Reports 12 & 14 December 2005)
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was informed. The VAVUNIYA Police investigations are on.
Firing from behind kovil: PC killed
- One policeman was shot dead and another injured allegedly by LTTE cadres at Pandirippu near
Kalmunai, police said. The victim was identified as reserve constable Niyas and the injured as reserve constable
Navaratnam. Police said the two RPCs had gone to the area to probe a complaint and the LTTE suspects had shot them from behind the Mariamman
Kovil. While tension prevailed in the area, the security forces launched a search
operation.
LTTE men construct new bunkers - Arrangements were made to notify the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) about the construction of two new LTTE bunkers, closer to the eastern edge of the MUTTUR Navy detachment on 26 December 2005. The two LTTE bunkers had been built at a location, less than 300 metres away from the Navy detachment. This violation of the Ceasefire Agreement CFA) was intimated.
Injured Police Constable in LTTE attack dies - Police Constable J. M KARUNARATHNA who received injuries during an LTTE (Tamil Tigers) fire in PUTTUR, BATTICALOA on 26 December 2005 early morning succumbed to injuries on admission to the BATTICALOA hospital. Tamil Tiger terrorists fired at the Police Guard point in PUTTUR early morning on Monday (26) but the Police Constable J.M. KARUNARATNE, attached to BATTICALOA Police station escaped with injuries and was receiving treatment in hospital when he died early this morning. (See Situation Report 26 December 2005). His funeral will shortly take place with Police honours at his native place.
Tamil Tigers attempting to kill soldiers die in SF retaliatory fire
- Two Tamil Tigers who attempted to hurl a hand grenade at the troops on route clearing operation on the SITTANDY – VANDARAMOOLAI road died when the troops fired at them in self – defence Monday (26) around 10.15 a.m. The dead LTTE cadres were fired upon by troops as they suddenly appeared a few metres away from the troops and attempted to hurl hand grenades at the troops. Troops have recovered one T – 56 weapon with a magazine containing 12 ammunition, one hand grenade and one cellular phone in the Tamil Tigers’ possession.
Tamil Tigers get away with civilian’s motorbike - Tamil Tigers on 26 December 2005 robbed a motorbike belonging to a civilian in the general area of MANAMPITIYA, POLONNARUWA, after threatening the owner. A Police complaint lodged by S. SUDAKARAN of No 21, Hospital road, MANAMPITIYA, stated that three unidentified Tamil Tigers stormed his house, threatened him with death and took away his motorbike (NCHT 3420). The POLONNARUWA Police have commenced investigations.
Husband abducted by LTTE, says wife - A woman from the general area of THALAIMANNAR has complained to the Police that three unidentified LTTE cadres abducted her husband during wee hours on Monday (26) after threatening him with death. Those LTTE abductors who arrived at the residence of the complainant, B.SHIROMI of OLD BRIDGE, THALAIMANNAR, have threatened and abducted her husband, T.W. KUMARA from home. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was informed. The THALAIMANNAR Police are conducting investigations.
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