Gunmen fire at SLA patrol unit in Meesaalai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 24 April 2008, 13:14 GMT]
Unidentified armed men opened rapid fire Wednesday around 7:00 p.m on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road patrol unit returning to their camp, on Jaffna-Kandy road in Meesaalai area in Thenmaraadchi, sources in Jaffna said. The SLA troops retaliated with gunfire and the duel lasted for more than 10 minutes after which the attackers withdrew from the place. No news on casualties or injuries is available.

The SLA road patrol unit was on guard on Jaffna-Kandy where supplies were being rushed to Mukamaalai and Ki’lali Front Defence Line (FDL), the site of heavy clashes Wednesday.

During last month two similar attacks on SLA convoys and troops posted along the coast the line along Jaffna-Kandy road in Chaavakachcheari town area, were launched by unknown attackers. The attackers were said to have used long range rifles in these attacks.