Airforce targets main LTTE Eastern base

Airforce bombing on a key LTTE base in Karadiyanaru, 24 Km from Batticaloa has killed nearly twenty LTTE cadres, defence sources said as unconfirmed reports from the uncleared areas said LTTE Batticaloa Amparai commander Banu was in the camp when it was hit by air.

Defence sources said the air strikes on the LTTE base in Karadiyanaru were part of military operations in Mavilaru, where the LTTE has closed sluice gates preventing water supply for 15,000 families and 28,000 paddy acres.

Pro-LTTE Tamilnet website said air force Kafir jets bombed LTTE Thenaham Centre in Karadiyanaru killing 8 LTTE cadres and injuring four.

Defence Affairs spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said military operations were under way in the Mavilaru area to restore water supply in the shortest possible time.

Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said air force carried out a few sorties around Mavilaru targeting identified LTTE positions.

Meanwhile, in another development, six LTTE cadres were killed in Sampoor yesterday morning in an attack by the Karuna faction, defence sources said.

(RSJ)