The Hindu : Front Page : LTTE ‘hub’ bombed

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Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
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LTTE ‘hub’ bombed

B. Muralidhar Reddy

It’s frequented by Prabakaran

It is propaganda, says LTTE
Speculation on injury to Prabakaran

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Wednesday claimed to have bombed a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ‘hub’ frequented by its leader, Velupillai Prabakaran. The bombing of the location, in a “thick jungle patch” in Kilinochchi district, occurred at 11.15 a.m.

However, it was not known if Mr. Prabakaran or any other senior leader of the LTTE was present at the location.

Late on Wednesday, TamilNet quoted an LTTE spokesperson as saying that there was no truth in the report. “Colombo was indulging in propaganda. It has engaged in such false propaganda also during the tsunami catastrophe and on many occasions earlier.”

ICRC confirms attack

A senior official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the only international organisation present in Kilinochchi, told The Hindu: “Yes, there was an aerial raid by the SLAF in the district. However, we have no details of the incident. As per our ground information, there was no unusual activity in Kilinochchi town.”

The SLAF statement said fighter jets raided the “terror hub in Kilinochchi known as X-ray base.”

“Air Force fighter jets in a low-flying mission have targeted the base located east of the Iranamadu tank in the Kalmadukulama area, with pinpoint accuracy,” it said.

Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Andi Wijesoriya said the sorties were carried out on information obtained “through real-time air surveillance and ground reconnaissance.”

Also, he said, the targeted location had been a “regular visiting place” of Mr. Prabakaran.

Fighter pilots confirmed that the target was hit accurately, he said.

“Special activity”

Citing “defence intelligence sources,” the Defence Ministry said that the raid was timed for a “special” activity going on at the LTTE base.

However, the sources refrained from commenting further on the issue. They said the targeted terror hub was located in a thick jungle patch, north of the LTTE’s ‘runway’ in Iranamadu. The area had long been demarcated as a ‘high security zone’ and a ‘no go’ area for civilians, the Ministry said.

The news of the raid spread like wild fire in the capital and speculation persisted that Mr. Prabakaran was seriously injured.

Wednesday’s air raid came amid fierce fighting between the Sri Lanka forces and the LTTE along the Forward Defence Lines in the north.

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