Pannalagama tense after ambush attacks, 4 said killed

[TamilNet, Friday, 19 September 2008, 08:45 GMT]
A Sri Lankan homeguard and his 9-year-old son were killed when a group of unidentified armed men attacked their tractor at Pannalagama village in Damana Police division in Ampaa'rai district Thursday evening around 6:45, according to police sources in the district. Two sustained serious injuries in the ambush and rushed to hospital. Meanwhile, a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier and a Special Task Force (STF) commando were killed in mortar and landmine attacks that followed, according to informed military sources in Ampaa'rai.

A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier was killed inside the military camp when guerrillas fired mortar shells wounding further two, after their ambush on the tractor. Later, around 10:45, when Special Task Force (STF) personnel were engaged in a search operation, a mine blast claimed the life of an STF commando, injuring further two.

STF commandos suspended all transport between Pannalagama and Kagnchikudichchaa'ru during the search operation.