STF captures Tiger base

Rafik JALALDEEN

AMPARA: The STF captured a Tiger base during a search and clear operation yesterday in Ampara causing heavy damage to the LTTE.

Three STF personnel were killed and another 12 injured in a confrontation that lasted an hour. The LTTE fired with mortars and small arms towards the troops, the Media Centre for National Security said.

According to an MCNS spokesman, the STF troops while conducting search and clear operations in the Parana-Pillumalai area of the Ampara District, captured a terrorist base.

"The injured have been admitted to the Polonnaruwa hospital," he said.

The Security Forces conducted a search and clear operation to liberate civilians in the uncleared patches south-west of Batticaloa. "The Security Forces experienced low resistance while terrorists fled, unable to withstand the attack," he added.

Defence sources said the LTTE had intensified attacks targeting civilians and aid movements along the Maha Oya - Ampara (A-27) main road during the past few weeks.

The clearing operations were initiated amid growing security concerns endangering civilians and humanitarian aid transport to villages in the Ampara District.

Fleeing terrorists triggered a claymore mine targeting a vehicle transporting STF personnel. "Still casualties have not been confirmed," defence sources said.

The LTTE terrorists are not allowing civilians to go into cleared areas, creating a humanitarian crisis within the unliberated patches.