2ND LEAD (Corrections)

9 civilians killed in SLA mortar attack in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 30 March 2007, 04:12 GMT]
Eight civilians, including four children, were killed Thursday 7:30 p.m. when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired mortars from Murakkoddaanchaenai SLA camp towards Siththaandi 3rd division, located 800 m southwest of the SLA camp. One of the wounded succumbed to injuries at Batticaloa hospital. Two 2-year-old girls and 2 boys under 18 years were among the victims. Three of the children were from a single family, initial reports said. Sri Lankan police or SLA troopers in the area were yet to visit the site, civilians from the area said.

The mortar attack on civilian settlement comes after the LTTE raid on SLA positions in the area 9 days ago, on March 21.

There were no LTTE units firing mortars from Siththaandi towards SLA positions, civilians added.

Six shells were fired towards the civilian settlement. Eight houses were damaged.

Nallam Thavamani, 30, her 2-year-old girl Nallam Niroja, three children from a single family, Perinparajah Ranjitha, 02, Perinparajah Sasikumar, 15, and Perinparajah Vasanthakumar, 18, and Alagaiah Vijalaluxmy, 42, Nagamani Thambithurai, 42, and Ilayathambi Sinnaththurai, 50 were identified as the victims by the residents of Siththaandi.

Both the SLA and the LTTE have exchanged artillery fire Thursday night.

Chronology:


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