Military installations "legitimate targets" when Colombo bombs locations far off FDLs, says LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 October 2006, 13:24 GMT]
LTTE's Military Spokesman, Irasiah Ilanthirayan, ruling out the possibility of "suicide mission" as the mode of attack on Sri Lanka Navy in Habarana Monday, declined to reject Tigers regarding the military targets outside the Forward Defence Line (FDL) localities as legitimate targets if and when Sri Lankan military continued to engage in aerial bombardment and artillery shelling far beyond the defence line localities into LTTE territory.

Tigers were yet to claim responsibility for the attack in Habarana. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir bombers flew over Vanni and attacked Puthukudiyiruppu town in Mullaithivu Monday between 5:15 and 5:40 p.m.

"There are civilian casualties in aerial bombing on Puthukudiyiruppu," Mr. Ilanthirayan said.

When asked whether LTTE claimed responsibility for the attack in Habarana, the Tiger military spokesman said he had contacted the regional command of the LTTE for the verification of the Habarana attack.

"When Sri Lanka Air Force bombers continue to bomb targets in Tamil homeland, far off the defence line localities where the Sri Lankan ground troops engage in frontal assaults, how could anybody expect the Tigers to refrain from targeting military installations," asked Mr. Ilanthirayan when asked to comment on the LTTE perception of the the military targets outside NorthEast.

SLAF bombers on Friday dropped 48 bombs in Muttayankattu village in the heart of Vanni, far away from FDL positons in the north.

"There are a number of records to cite as attacks by Sri Lankan forces into LTTE territory far off defence localities," he said.

"Recently a pregnant woman in Mahiladythivu in Batticaloa lost her baby due to shell attack inside a civilian settlement."

Related Articles:
13.10.06   SLAF Kfir jets drop 48 bombs on Vanni