LTTE artillery fire target scores of stranded civilians - Trincomalee

Scores of civilians are fleeing the LTTE dominated patches at Kaddimurichchikulama and Kirimichchiya, and entering the government controlled Mankerni, Mahindapura and Kadjuwatte areas, in the East, since platoons of terrorists invaded their villages today the 08th of November during the fore'noon hours. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists fired 81mm mortars at security forces personnel in Mavil Aru and Mahindapura area today morning. Five army personnel received injuries due to the attack and they were rushed to the hospital in Trincomalee for treatment.

The civilian sources said that formations of terrorist were seen flowing into the village area from further south and the hapless civilians had no alternative except to flee for their lives seeking refuge under the SL security forces. Further said that the LTTE mobile units were seen patrolling the area hailing that their lands were been transformed into "LTTE military zones" and threatening the villagers to restrict any movement within the demarcated zones.

Escaped civilians confessed that they witnessed a huge buildup of terrorists surrounding the villages and further said that numbers of mortars were positioned within the village premises. Many unfortunate villagers were dragged off their households to dig trenches and defence lines for the terrorists, said an escaped civlian.

Since November 01st 176 families consisting of 568 individuals had entered the Government controlled areas seeking safety and shelter from the security forces fearing LTTE vengeance in the East.

The SL Army troops at Kadjuwatte, Mahindapura and Mankerni camps have taken preliminary measures to provide sufficient food and shelter, for the displaced mainly consisting of women and children. Despite indiscriminate LTTE mortar and artillery fire the SL Army troops have taken the responsibility to compensate the basic needs of the evacuates.

Meanwhile military sources said that the LTTE terrorist are continuously launching sporadic artillery and mortar shell attacks towards the military garrisons at Mankerni , Mahindapura and Kadjuwatte areas since 30th of October. Reports stated that the LTTE artillery and mortar attacks towards the security installations have intensified considerably during the fore' noon hours on 08th Wednesday.

Defence analysts identify these attacks to be a strategic measure to confine the SL troops into the garrisons and cutoff provision of humanitarian aids to the stranded within the barren stretch of land terminating over the LTTE dominated patches in the East.

Military officials said that the LTTE artillery and mortar shells continued to precipitate all over the area denying any form of humanitarian aid reaching the hapless civilians. Earlier the terrorist outfit has threatened the ICRC officials not to operate in the un-cleared patches denying responsibility on damages if caused during the Humanitarian missions.

Recently the LTTE terrorists launched artillery and mortar shells towards the SL security personnel at Mavilaru - Trincomalee on 06th November. Earlier on 31st October, a LTTE offensive at the Mavilaru, Army post was successfully retaliated.