12-24-2005, 05:54 PM
<b>Five killed in fresh gun battles in Sri Lanka</b>
AFP
Saturday, December 24, 2005 20:50 IST
COLOMBO: At least five people were killed in two gun battles in Sri Lanka on Saturday in the troubled northern Jaffna peninsula, officials said.
An army major from the military intelligence corps and another soldier were seriously wounded when gunmen opened fire on them Saturday evening, a defence ministry official said.
"Troops returned fire and soldiers have managed to kill four of the attackers, including a woman," the official said.
"Troops recovered a grenade launcher and a micro-pistol." In the second incident, suspected Tiger gunmen opened fire at an army checkpoint on the peninsula, killing one soldier and wounding another, the defence official said.
The clashes came as diplomats from countries supporting Sri Lanka's peace bid travelled to the island's north for talks with Tiger rebels, a day after 18 people were killed in a fresh wave of violence.
Diplomatic efforts to salvage the island's troubled peace process remain inconclusive in a country where more than 60,000 people have been killed in three decades of ethnic bloodshed.
http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1003893
<b>2ND LEAD
6 SLA soldiers injured in 3 attacks in Jaffna</b>
[TamilNet, December 24, 2005 15:12 GMT]
In a firefight between unidentified gunmen and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers near Jaffna Fort area at 6.10 p.m. Saturday 3 SLA soldiers were injured, one of them seriously. The trooper with serious injuries was air lifted to Palaly military hospital, sources said. Military command in Colombo has informed that four gunmen have been killed in the Jaffna Fort attack and their bodies are lying near Jaffna Fort. Since no reporters are allowed to the area TamilNet is unable to confirm this.
SLA troops patroling the outer perimeter of Jaffna town that includes Jaffna Fort area, Thanthai Selva memorial, Public Library, Jaffna Courts were attacked by unidentified gunmen. The firefight lasted nearly 10 minutes. Bus stand was closed and civilians vacated the town area. Only SLA troopers were seen in the town.
In two other incidents, one soldier was injured in a grenade attack in a sentry point in Irupalai, Jaffna around 4.30 p.m. and two SLA soldiers were injured in a grenade attack in Thanlankilappu Road in Thenmaradchy area at 5.30 p.m.
Following the Irupalai attack, more than 30 traders in Irupalai were taken to the SLA camp for interrogation. They have not been released when this story was filed.
The two soldiers injured in the Thanankilappu attack were also airlifted to Palaly Military Hospital.
Tamilnet
<b>4 rebels killed in north Sri Lanka</b>
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/...ent_3965811.htm
AFP
Saturday, December 24, 2005 20:50 IST
COLOMBO: At least five people were killed in two gun battles in Sri Lanka on Saturday in the troubled northern Jaffna peninsula, officials said.
An army major from the military intelligence corps and another soldier were seriously wounded when gunmen opened fire on them Saturday evening, a defence ministry official said.
"Troops returned fire and soldiers have managed to kill four of the attackers, including a woman," the official said.
"Troops recovered a grenade launcher and a micro-pistol." In the second incident, suspected Tiger gunmen opened fire at an army checkpoint on the peninsula, killing one soldier and wounding another, the defence official said.
The clashes came as diplomats from countries supporting Sri Lanka's peace bid travelled to the island's north for talks with Tiger rebels, a day after 18 people were killed in a fresh wave of violence.
Diplomatic efforts to salvage the island's troubled peace process remain inconclusive in a country where more than 60,000 people have been killed in three decades of ethnic bloodshed.
http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1003893
<b>2ND LEAD
6 SLA soldiers injured in 3 attacks in Jaffna</b>
[TamilNet, December 24, 2005 15:12 GMT]
In a firefight between unidentified gunmen and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers near Jaffna Fort area at 6.10 p.m. Saturday 3 SLA soldiers were injured, one of them seriously. The trooper with serious injuries was air lifted to Palaly military hospital, sources said. Military command in Colombo has informed that four gunmen have been killed in the Jaffna Fort attack and their bodies are lying near Jaffna Fort. Since no reporters are allowed to the area TamilNet is unable to confirm this.
SLA troops patroling the outer perimeter of Jaffna town that includes Jaffna Fort area, Thanthai Selva memorial, Public Library, Jaffna Courts were attacked by unidentified gunmen. The firefight lasted nearly 10 minutes. Bus stand was closed and civilians vacated the town area. Only SLA troopers were seen in the town.
In two other incidents, one soldier was injured in a grenade attack in a sentry point in Irupalai, Jaffna around 4.30 p.m. and two SLA soldiers were injured in a grenade attack in Thanlankilappu Road in Thenmaradchy area at 5.30 p.m.
Following the Irupalai attack, more than 30 traders in Irupalai were taken to the SLA camp for interrogation. They have not been released when this story was filed.
The two soldiers injured in the Thanankilappu attack were also airlifted to Palaly Military Hospital.
Tamilnet
<b>4 rebels killed in north Sri Lanka</b>
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/...ent_3965811.htm
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