Tigers attack convoy, 13 killed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 15 February 2000, 13:24 GMT]
Thirteen policemen were killed and 15 others wounded when the Liberation Tigers attacked a military convoy at Miyaan Kulam, 15 km. north-east of Valaichenai on the Batticaloa-Colombo road around 4.45 p.m. this evening.

Initial reports said the Tigers attacked the convoy of buses carrying soldiers and policemen returning to duty in Batticaloa, after their vacations.

A Rocket Propelled Grenade hit one of the buses in which policemen were travelling, setting the bus ablaze, security sources said.

The bodies of the policemen killed in the attack were brought to Valaichenai hospital, while the wounded were rushed to Polonnaruwa hospital, sources said.

Sri Lanka Army soldiers stationed in Valaichenai and Kalkudah retaliated with mortar fire following the attack, residents said.