2ND LEAD

SLA soldier killed in Chavakacheri, civilians attacked in reprisal

[TamilNet, Saturday, 03 December 2005, 16:10 GMT]
One Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier was killed when a tractor carrying SLA soldiers came under gunfire from unknown gunmen near Chavakacheri Hindu College Saturday evening, sources in Jaffna said. Three SLA soldiers were injured in three other grenade attacks in Meesalai located 3 km from Chavakachcheri. The injured soldiers were first taken to Puttur SLA camp by road and from there they were airlifted to Palaly military hospital. SLA troopers stationed along the A9 highway between Meesalai and Chavakacheri attacked civilan travellers with gun butts. Smashed motorbikes were seen on both sides along the highway, travellers who escaped from the site told TamilNet.

Two of the Meesalai attacks were carried out near the Meesalai junction and the other was aimed at the SLA camp near Meesalai, sources said.

Sri Lankan soldiers attacked the civilian travellers along the A9 highway in Chavakacheri following the incidents.

Tension prevailed in the area and the traffic along the A9 remained blocked Saturday night.

The incidents mark escalation of violence for the second day in Thenmaradchy where attacks are centered around the A9 highway between Chavakachcheri and Meesalai.