Soldiers escape grenade explosion in Kodikamam

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
A grenade was lobbed by unidentified persons at 2 SLA soldiers at Kodikamam in Jaffna this morning at 11am. However, the SLA soldiers escaped unhurt as the grenades exploded about 3 meters from them.

3 civilians were injured by the grenade shrapnel. They were identified as

1. Kumara Kailasapillai, 44

2. Subramanium Rasendiram,

3. Kanthan Kanapathipillai, 61

Meanwhile a resident of Sulipuram in Jaffna was injured by anti-personal mine (APM) in Punnalaikkaduvan around 8.30 am. this morning. The person was identified as Albert Quintius.

SLA cordoned off and searched 2 areas in Jaffna today.

The SLA entered Kalvayal area in Chavachcheri in the early hours of the morning today and searched. The search operation went on until about 12.noon.

The SLA launched another operation in Kaladdy in Kokuvil in the early hours of the morning today.

The area was completely sealed off and the SLA did not allow anyone to either enter or leave the area until 11 am.

An extensive search operation was carried out in the area and the KKS road was blocked during the operation. Displaced civilians were from Jaffna town who normally go to inspect their houses in Ilavalai and Mathagal where they have not been allowed to resettle by the SLA.