Spate of LTTE abductions

Bhakthi Dharmapriya Mendis

COLOMBO: Since the attacks on Security Forces by the LTTE cadres on August 12, they have abducted nearly 200 persons and removed away by force 120 vehicles plying on the highway in uncleared areas of the districts of Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Jaffna and Batticoloa, according to information received at the Security Intelligence Units yesterday.

The abduction of persons and hijacking of vehicles have mainly taken place on the A9 and A15 highways, according to intelligence sources. The vehicles hijacked include vans, lorries, bowsers, trucks, and canters.

The bowsers about 30, in number contained over five hundred thousand litres of petrol and diesel which the Tigers have removed to their camps, intelligence sources said.