Trinco Night Mail Train Attacked

LTTE exploded claymore mine targeting the Trincomalee - Colombo mail train, 1 KM away from Kantale railway station , around 8.45 p.m yesterday.According to Military spokesperson explosion had hit the engine of the train causing damages which was plying from Trincomalee to Colombo.

The night mail train usually travels with full of passengers however though the bomb explosion reverberated to more than 5 KM, no passengers were reported to be injured.
Police said the engine of the train had been damaged in the blast and no reported injuries.

Six LTTE terrorists killed in confrontations - Jaffna

Six LTTE terrorists were killed in two separate pre-emptive attacks launched by the security forces in Jaffna defences this morning, December 18, sources in Jaffna said.An LTTE bunker was destroyed killing 3 LTTE terrorists when the troops confronted with the enemy ahead of the security forces defence line at Nagarakovil in Jaffna.

Meanwhile, 3 LTTE terrorists were killed in another confrontation erupted at Muhamalai in Jaffna around 10.40 this morning, defence sources further added.

Security News

• Micro pistol found in Jaffna

On information received from the civilians, security forces who were conducting a search operation uncovered a micro pistol from Manalkadu area in Point Pedro in early hours today, December 18.The recovery was made at 5.45 a.m and a micro pistol and its magazine had been buried in an abandoned land in the area, defence sources in Jaffna said.

• LTTE Continuously receiving losses; 19 terrorists killed, 13 wounded

Nineteen LTTE terrorists were killed and 13 were injured during clashes erupted at Jaffna and Mannar defences this morning, December 17, defence sources said.In four separate incidents reported in Mannar defences, at least 12 LTTE terrorists were killed while 9 were injured sources in Mannar said.

Troops on foot patrol confronted with a group of LTTE terrorists at North of Uilankulam in Mannar around 9.30 a.m today. Ground troops said four LTTE cadres were killed while 5 others were injured in this clash.Meanwhile 2 LTTE cadres were killed in a confrontation erupted at North of Neelachchanai in Mannar around 9.35 a.m. today, defence sources added.

• T-56 weapon, warlike items uncovered

On information received from the civilian sources, security forces uncovered a T-56 weapon and some other warlike items from Madukarai in Mannar testerday, December 17.According to the available information the recovery was made around 12 noon and 60 T-56 ammunition, 2 magazines, 2 detonators and 1M length detonator code were also among the recoveries.

India readies to counter LTTE threats

Against the backdrop of enhanced threat perception emanating to India's security from its vast southern coastline and sea borne intrusions, the Indian Armed Forces are planning a series of joint exercises next year in the southern peninsula.

"This is for the first time that the country's military planners are focusing on threats to the country from the southern peninsula," defence sources told the Times of India.

Frontline fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, along with warships from the Navy and coastguard, and Army formations dedicated to sea borne assaults would be engaged in these exercises designed to ensure safety of vital sea lanes.

The war games have also been planned to deal with threats of intrusions from air and sea lanes by terrorist groups and to deal with sea hijackings, the sources said. Though the Armed Forces had earlier repeatedly sought to play down possible threats from the LTTE for their acquisition of air assets, the series of joint military exercises are planned to cope with such attacks, the sources said.

LTTE offensive bids thwarted: 10 terrorists killed

Ten terrorists were killed yesterday(16) at Jaffna and Vavuniya defences, as security forces continued to pound LTTE bunker positions, security sources said.During a pre-emptive strike launched at LTTE positions ahead of Muhamalai FDLs at around 6.10p.m, troops destroyed an LTTE bunker killing three terrorists, Northern military sources report.

At Vilathikulam in Vavuniya, SLA repulsed two successive LTTE offensive bids killing at least seven terrorists in heavy resistance attacks, yesterday evening security sources said.According to ground sources, no damages were cause to own forces.

Tamil Nadu asked to act against pro-LTTE leaders

Expressing concern over reports of increasing activities of the LTTE in Tamil Nadu, Congress leader and Union Minister E. V. K. S. Elangovan asked the State Government to be vigilant and take action against political leaders expressing support to the banned outfit.

Referring to the reported speech of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal (VC) President Thol Tirumavalavan, an ally of the ruling DMK, in support of the LTTE, he told reporters that the Government should take action against him if there was prima facie evidence.

He also recalled the State DGP's notice last month, announcing a ban on taking out processions, holding public meetings or condolence meetings in support of the LTTE.

Citing reports about the recent arrest of two LTTE cadres in the state, Elangovan said the State Government should be on high alert and take measures to check the activities of the banned outfit.

Pointing out to the release of VC leader Vanniyarasu on bail the same day he was arrested on the charge of supplying computer spare parts to the LTTE, Elangovan cautioned that such incidents would disturb peace in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, speaking at a diploma awarding ceremony for Sri Lankan journalists, organised by the city-based SRM university, Elangovan said the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka could be amicably resolved, but some people in Tamil Nadu were politicising the issue.