Two civilians, two SLA troopers killed in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 April 2006, 11:46 GMT]
Amid escalating violence in Jaffna two civilians and two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed in Jaffna district during Tuesday night and Wednesday, sources in Jaffna said.

Balasingam Pathinathan, 29, was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his relatives' residence in Urumpirai, Jaffna Tuesday night at 10.30 p.m., sources said. He was from Puthukudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu and was held up in Jaffna due to the A9 closure when the killing occured, relatives said.

During a cordon and search operation conducted by the SLA troopers near the fish market in Chavakachcheri, soldiers shot dead a youth at 12.30 p.m. Wednesday. The body has not been identified yet, local residents said.

Meanwhile, two SLA soldiers were killed when they were attacked by unknown gunmen in Inuvil, Thuraiveethi area at 10.30 a.m., Wednesday, sources said. Following the attack, additional SLA troops arrived at the scene and have arrested several traders from the area. Thuraiveeethi area has been completely blocked for civilian and vehicular traffic, local residents said.

Unconfirmed reports said a Sri Lanka Army trooper was injured in a grenade attack in Sithankerni area in Jaffna at 12.30 p.m. Wednesday. No other details are available on this incident.

Meanwhile, SLA soldiers cordoned off and search the premises of the International Students Union office near Parameswara Junction, Wednesday morning. Soldiers ransacked the building and caused damages to the properties owned by the Students. SLA soldiers ransacked the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Gajendran's office located inside the building, sources said.

SLA soldiers arrested one student who was later released and admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital to receive treatment for injuries received while in SLA custody, student leaders said.