Tigers attack two SLA camps in Mannar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 10 August 2000, 22:41 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camps located near the Puthukulam junction in the Mannar district were attacked and destroyed by the Liberation Tigers Wednesday, the Voice of Tigers radio said in its night news broadcast today. At least 9 SLA soldiers were killed and 13 wounded in the attacks, the radio added.

According to the radio the Tigers had attacked the camps around 6.30 a.m. after setting off a claymore blast on troops patrolling towards Puthukulam junction.

The Tigers recovered, among other weapons, an RPGLMG, T-56 assault rifles, 40 mm. mortars, and hundreds of medium range rounds, the radio further said.

Initial reports, quoting security sources in Vavuniya said 5 policemen were killed and 9 wounded in a claymore blast.

In a separate incident, the Tigers attacked SLA troops at Vannathi Palam in Puththur who had attempted to advance and attack LTTE positions. One SLA soldier was killed in the ensuing fire-fight which lasted for nearly 10 minutes, the radio said. The Tigers did not suffer any casualties, the radio added.

Puththur is about 18 km. north-east of Jaffna town.