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| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
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Soldiers got stuck in mud in bid to rescue colleague by ANTON NONIS The unfortunate incident at Eluthumaduwal, Jaffna last Wednesday that brought death to 10 Infantry battalion soldiers may have devoured a whole platoon but for the presence of mind of colleagues who were marching behind, Army investigations have revealed. The crossing of a paddy field in Eluthumaduwal was part of a tough training program conducted under the command of Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka. On this fateful day, according to Col.Sumedha Perera, five platoons, each consisting of 25-30 soldiers had already crossed the paddy field. Heavy rains had converted the field to a dangerous quagmire. The soldier leading the platoon in question, had got into difficulties when he stepped onto a muddy spot. The soldier who was behind him went to his rescue, and was faced with the same predicament, Col. Perera said. In a bid to rescue their fellow soldiers, an entire platoon had jumped in blindly. Col. Perera said that a total of 12 soldiers had been struggling in the mud and were disappearing one after the other. The rest of the platoon had managed to rescue two, including an officer. The drama had ended with `ten soldiers pronounced dead'. All of them had been well experienced soldiers. The 11th man, who also nearly drowned, is undergoing treatment at the Jaffna hospital. Asked how five platoons managed to cross the field safely, Col.Perera said they may have narrowly missed the mud hole. All platoons are expected to be equipped with compass bearings in exercises of this nature in which this particular platoon too possessed. This special training had been the 11th course for the Infantry soldiers which started just after the ceasefire came into effect. The Court of Inquiry consisting of four senior officers appointed by Maj. Gen. Fonseka will study the disaster and the report would be forwarded to Army Commander Lionel Balagalle within the next two weeks. |
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