LTTE uses girl child as suicide bomber

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Using children as human bombs and driving explosive laden the trucks into Security Forces defences have become the latest tactics of the LTTE as they face final phase of the battle against the Security Forces in a small area in Puthukudiyiruppu, Military officials observed yesterday.

Military officials have come to this conclusion after observing the way LTTE had sent a 14 year girl as a suicide bomber towards the advancing troops at Chalai on Wednesday.

“The LTTE in gross violation of internationally accepted conventions and norms, had made use of this 14 year old girl on a suicide mission as troops were engaged in fierce battle with the LTTE in Chalai North on February 4 around 12.45 pm”, the Military official added.

Troops attached to 55 Division under the command of Brigadier Prasanna Silva observed this situation when they were engaged in fierce battles in Chalai North on Wednesday.

“The well attired child, appeared in front of the Security Forces defences as if she was going to surrender to the Security Forces. Her hand was held and she blew herself once troops challenged her to stop as she walked towards the Security Forces defences”, sources added.

According to the same sources it was not clear whether the girl blew off herself or the LTTE had made use of a remote control device to explode her.

However, he said the objective of the LTTE was to cause maximum damage to the Security Forces as the LTTE is facing a humiliating defeat at present.

Troops at the Forward defences averted a major disaster as they stopped the human bomb reaching the troops”, the sources added.

The LTTE is also making use of explosive laden vehicles operated by suicide cadres to destroy Security Forces defences.

”Three such vehicles were exploded in the Security Forces defences close to Puthukuduyiruppu hospital after reaching towards the Security Forces defences, in the guise of vehicles transporting civilians towards cleared areas”, Defence officials said yesterday.

These three trucks were exploded on Tuesday evening close to the Puthukuduiruppu Hospital injuring a fair number of soldiers manning defences there, officials added.

”It is regrettable to note that non of the international organizations are making any comment about these incidents”, the official added.