Forces confront fleeing Tigers

Rafik Jalaldeen

The Security Forces cordoned the dense jungle 15 km off Dambayaya, Buttala yesterday and confronted LTTE suspects fleeing after triggering twin bombs in Buttala on Wednesday morning.

As the death toll rose to 27 from the claymore mine attack on a public bus in Okkampitiya, Buttala, the Security Forces and police had tightened security in the area.

"The Security Forces launched a search operation in the jungle 15 km off Dambayaya, Buttala area confronted with the fleeing suspected LTTE cadres," Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The Security Forces tracking the suspected Tigers had come under fire. A soldier who was injured in the confrontation was admitted to Monaragala hospital, he added.

According to Buttala police a search operation was under way to capture the culprits who had detonated twin claymore mines killing 27 civilians and five other farmers.