SLA, LTTE artillery duels intensify in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 December 2007, 10:35 GMT]
Heavy artillery duel between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) beginning Thursday morning continued even after midday while unrelenting rain poured down in the peninsula, sources in Jaffna said. Residents in the peninsula are apprehensive of an impending offensive operation by the SLA as intensive artillery fire both on land and sea reverberates amidst pouring rain. Meanwhile, the Tigers said an attempt by the SLA to advance towards their Forward Defence Line in Naakarkoayil was thwarted, killing two SLA soldiers and recovering the dead body of a SLA soldier with an assault rifle.

Floods due to torrents of rain continuing for the fourth day have affected travel and other activities in the peninsula.

The runway in Palaali airport is flooded and the number of flights to Colombo up and down has been reduced.

Sea and air travel, the only means of transport available to people traveling to and fro from Jaffna peninsula, have been very much affected.

As weather conditions continue to remain unfavorable for air and sea travel, artillery duels between the SLA and LTTE have intensified with increased duration.

The artillery duels which usually take place in the mornings have extended even after noon Thursday.

Tension prevails among the peninsula residents who fear of a large scale war breaking out soon.

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