Forces hold camps amidst fierce LTTE attack

Ranil Wijayapala in Trincomalee and Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: The Security Forces yesterday successfully repulsed an LTTE attack on the Muttur, Thopur, Kattaparichan, Selvanagar and Mahindapura camps, according to the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) which however stated that terrorist attacks launched since 1.30 a.m. yesterday caused severe damages to Muttur town and resulted in a large number of civilian casualties.

According to a spokesman for the MCNS the attack lasted for around five hours. The Security Forces retaliated and they beat back the terrorist advance.

"Sporadic attacks are however continuing with the LTTE using small arms fire directed at the forces from strategic positions one of which was a Tsunami camp," a MCNS spokesman said.

More than 40 LTTE cadres were killed and many more injured in the counter attack by the forces, he added. Security sources said that the LTTE had removed 35 of their dead to Vakarai.

Four soldiers were killed and 14 injured, while eight Air Force, six Navy and 10 Police personnel also sustained injuries in the clashes. Heavy damage was also caused to the Telecom building, District Secretary's Office and the Muttur Hospital by LTTE shelling. According to Military sources the LTTE fled from Muttur town in small groups when the army engaged them.

The Muttur hospital confirmed that they admitted 11 injured civilians one of whom later died. Reinforcements were rushed to the scene to help ward off the LTTE attack, the MCNS spokesman said.

Our staff reporter at the scene had seen several civilian bodies in the Muttur town, with the Security Forces unable to go near them due to LTTE attacks.

Four employees of the Muttur Hospital were among the injured by the LTTE fire.

The LTTE has also taken control of a tsunami camp to attack the Forces while it also ransacked the Muttur People's Bank and Bank of Ceylon.

The reinforcement were flown from Kallaru to Seruwila to defend Mahindapura camp and surrounding areas, he said.