Policeman injured in grenade attack in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 September 2005, 02:31 GMT]
Mr.L.Karunaratne, a police constable, was seriously injured and two civilians sustained minor injuries when unidentified persons lobbed a grenade at the police sentry located in Kanchimadam roundabout junction near Trincomalee town, Uppuveli Police said. The junction serves as a gateway to Trincomalee town and villages in the north of the district.

Injured policeman and civilians were admitted to the Trincomalee general hospital, police said.

Security forces immediately launched a cordon and search operation in the vicinity to nab culprits. They detained several passersby and questioned them, police said.

Meanwhile, soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army and police manning checkpoints and engaged in patrol duty have been given powers to retaliate when they are attacked with grenades, according to the headquarters of the Deputy Inspector General of Police for the eastern region, police sources said.