22 Black Tigers killed in Air Force attack

Rafik JALALDEEN

MULLAITIVU: At least 22 Black Tigers were killed when Air Force fighter jets carried out a fresh air attack in the Mullaitivu area targeting an LTTE training centre in Udayarkattukulam, East of Iranamadu yesterday morning.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said an identified LTTE leaders’ training facility was attacked by the Air Force yesterday around 8.15 am. The target was in the East of Iranamadu inside the Udayarkattukulam jungle.

“Air Force intelligence confirmed that 22 Black Tigers were killed in the air raid and a group of Black Tigers were engaged in a rehearsal at the time of the air attack,“ he told the Daily News.

According to defence sources Udayarkattulam area was considered as an LTTE nerve centre in the Mullaitivu district and the centre had been used for special training for LTTE leaders’ trainings.

Wing Commander Nanayakkara said the air raid was carried out effectively by the Air Force fighters following ground intelligence information and air surveillance.