Airman killed in claymore attack

Rafik Jalaldeen

VAVUNIYA: An airman was killed and another injured when LTTE terrorists detonated a claymore mine while Air Force personnel were engaged in physical exercises yesterday around 7.20 a.m in Poowarasamkulam, Vavuniya.

A group of airmen doing physical training were caught in the explosion.

Airman Sergeant Saman Dharmasiri was killed on the spot and another airman was injured, Spokesman from the Media Centre for the National Security Major Upali Rajapakse said.

When a number of airmen from the Poowarasamkulam Air Force base were running fast they were targeted by the LTTE roadside claymore mine.

"They were doing P.T. near by the Air Force base in Poowarasamkulam," he added. The injured airman was admitted to the Vavuniya hospital. Vavuniya police are investigating.