LTTE launches counter attack on STF in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 September 2006, 10:06 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) repulsed an attack launched by the Sri Lanka's Special Task Force with artillery fire in an attempt to move towards LTTE held areas from Kaluwanchchikudy-Paddiruppu Bridge from Tuesday morning around 6.30 a.m. Artillery shells fired by the STF fell and exploded in the villages Palugamam, Porativu and Munaitivu in the LTTE held areas.

Five women were injured and they were first admitted to Mahiladitivu hospital in the LTTE held area and later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, sources said.

Details of some of the injured have emerged. Injured Seenithamby Sivakolunthu, 55, father of five children was admitted to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, while his daughter Sivakolunthu Vathani, 13, and an expectant woman Veerakuddy Malar, 38, were admitted to Arayampathy Hospital.

Hundreds of villagers fled from their homes and sought refuge in Kaluwanthankerni and Thumpankerny villages. Traffic through Kaluwanchchikudy-Paddiruppu Bridge was closed for few hours.

Meanwhile artillery shells fired by LTTE fell in the village Chettipalayam and exploded. The exchange of artillery between the STF and LTTE lasted for about three hours.