SLAF Helicopter shot down in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 18 February 2000, 07:36 GMT]
Liberation Tigers shot down a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Helicopter gunship in Usan in the Thenmaradchi Division on the Jaffna the peninsula around 8.25 p.m. yesterday.

A pilot and a gunner on board were killed sources said.

The Bell helicopter had flown in to evacuate wounded soldiers from Muhamalai to Palaly, when it came under attack, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD)

"Subsequently the helicopter crew has done an emergency landing in general area of Oddupei, Southeast of Kodikamam. Out of 4 crew members and 4 Army casualties on board, 2 SLAF crew members, co-pilot and a gunner, were killed, the statement said.

Meanwhile the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lanka Army continue to exchange artillery and mortar fire in the Elephant Pass area said sources in Jaffna. Further details were not known.