7 Aug 2007

VAVUNIYA: ON INFORMATION THAT A GROUP OF LTTE cadres had abducted a civilian in the KOOMANKULUM area, troops were deployed to find the whereabouts of the abducted civilian around 1.45 p.m. today (07).

While troops advanced towards the KOOMANKULUM junction they confronted a group of LTTE cadres. One LTTE cadre sustained injuries and while the other fled the area. The injured LTTE cadre detonated a suicide belt which the Security Forces suspect he was wearing at the time. Two Army soldiers also sustained minor injuries in the blast.

Troops who continued with the clearing operation came across the body of the LTTE cadre who blew himself up. The Army recovered identification tag, two hand grenades, one mobile phone and a motorbike. The cadre who blew himself up was identified as NEESHAN, the acting LTTE leader of PANDARIKULUM.

Advancing troops found a dead body of an unidentified person with gun shot injuries. Security Forces suspect that this person would have been killed by the LTTE.

Following the incident troops cordoned the NELUKKULUMA area around 3.30 p.m. to engage any other LTTE cadres present in the area. Meanwhile two LTTE cadres who tried to escape the cordon (and search operation) on a motorbike opened fire and lobbed hand grenades at troops. Troops retaliated killing one LTTE cadre. The other fled the area.

Soldiers recovered one hand grenade and a motor bike from the area. The VAVUNIYA Police are conducting further investigations.