2ND LEAD

Sri Lankan soldiers kill 5 in fire ambush in Chenkaladi

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 April 2007, 08:16 GMT]
Five persons, including a 3-year-old baby boy, a 15-year-ld girl and another civilian were shot and killed by a group of Sri Lankan troopers at Kanapathipillai village in Chenkaladi division in Eravur Police division around 8:30 p.m. Friday. The Sri Lankan soldiers who had taken cover alongside a road had opened fire on two persons suspected to be carrying weapons, according to civilian sources in the area. The two youths said to be carrying arms were yet to be identified. However, Sri Lankan military sources in Colombo have claimed that all 5 victims were civilians and blamed the Tigers for the killings.

One of the victims, 60-year-old M. Ratnasingham succumbed to his injuries at Batticaloa hospital.

A female, identified as Ms. Thamilchelvi, was admitted at the hospital.

The civilian victims were engaged in making sweets for New Year celebrations.

Four dead bodies were taken to Eravur hospital.