SLA intensifies checks, search operations in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 11 April 2008, 16:32 GMT]
Following the shooting incident in Nalloor Thursday in which a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier was seriously injured, SLA in Jaffna intensified its checks and searches in areas inside Jaffna Municipality area, subjecting people who were busily engaged in purchases for the Tamil-Sinhala New Year celebrations, sources in Jaffna said.

People and vehicles entering the Jaffna Municipal area were stopped at the entrance points where SLA troops checked their National Identity Cards and the bags they carried.

All vehicles including bicycles were stopped and the persons traveling were thoroughly checked.

Searches and checks were carried out in the shops in Jaffna town where the employees were interrogated.

So far it is not known whether anyone was arrested during Friday searches.

Unknown gunmen opened fire on group of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers distributing food to fellow soldiers Thursday 7:45 a.m. near Kailaasapillaiyar Temple, in Nalloor.

Unconfirmed reports say that the injured soldier later succumbed to his injuries, Palaali Military High Command has not confirmed this.