2ND LEAD

Ambush on SLA in Jaffna, unofficial curfew imposed in Valikaamam South West

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 September 2008, 09:42 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police imposed an immediate unofficial curfew in Cha'ndilippaay, A'laveddi and Chu'n'naakam areas and launched a cordon and search operation, after a bomb attack Monday noon on the SLA at Maasiyappiddi in Valikaamam South West division of the Jaffna district.

Residents said they heard gunfire exchange for more than ten minutes after the blast and that the attackers fled the site after the ambush. Though casualty figures were not known, eyewitnesses reported that wounded soldiers were being transported to Palaali military hospital.

SLA sources in Jaffna maintained that there was no casualty or injury worthy of mention.

The area on the western flank of Jaffna Kaangkeasanthu'rai road was completely affected by the curfew imposed.

Courts, banks, shops and schools were closed immediately after the announcement by the SLA and the Police.

Tension prevailed in Valikamamam South West and normalcy was disturbed also in other areas.

The SLA in Jaffna has already warned that it would announce continuous curfew if such attacks were to take place in Jaffna peninsula.