Former Intelligence Operative shot dead in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 03:41 GMT]
M. Abdul Azeez, 25, who had previously worked closely with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) intelligence division, was shot dead and another youth Meerasahib Mohammed Buhari (20) seriously injured by unknown group of gunmen in the Muslim village of Kavathamunai 34km north west of Batticaloa district at 10.30 pm Monday, said sources in Batticaloa.

Azeez and Buhari were getting out of Azeez’z house in Kavathamunai when the gunmen opened fire. Azeez was shot in the head and chest and died on the spot. Buhari was first admitted to Valaichenai district hospital but was later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital for additional surgery. Azeez’s body was left in Valaichenai hospital for postmortem examination.

Village residents said they suspected a Muslim extremist group to be responsible for the killing. The residents of Kavathamunai said that while Azeez was collaborating with the SLA he worked against the Muslim community and earned the wrath of several Muslims. This may have brought his downfall, villagers said.

Shops remained closed in the Ottamavadi this morning but the traffic flowed smoothly, sources said.

Kavathamunai is located in the Ottamavadi Pradeshya Sabha.