ENB:Tigers attack Anuradhapura air base
TamilNet
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Tigers launch air, ground attack on Anuradhapura air base
[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 October 2007, 23:47 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) launched an air and ground attack on Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) air base in Anuradhapura in the early hours of Monday, Liberation Tigers Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told TamilNet. Meanwhile, informed military sources in Colombo said two Russian built MI-24 helicopter gunships stationed in the airbase have been destroyed in the air and ground attack launched between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m. Monday. This is the first time the Tigers have combined both air and ground attack in a raid.
Military Spokesperson of the Tigers, Mr. Irasaiah Ilanthirayan (Marshall)Another helicopter, a Bell 212, flown from the airbase, has crash landed at Doramadalawa in Mihintale area, 13 km east of Anuradhapura, military sources in Colombo said.
3 wounded SLAF airmen have been admitted at the Anuradhapura hospital, according to medical sources.
Continuous explosions were heard inside the airbase from 3:30 a.m. according to Sinhala civilians in the area. The attack was continuing, after 5:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, a SLAF reconnaissance aircraft was observed circling over K'linochchi. Three Kfir fighter jets of the SLAF were also flown over Vanni around 5:00 a.m.
Anuradhapura is situated in the North Central Province, 46 km south of Vavuniyaa and 168 km northeast of Colombo.
[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 October 2007, 23:47 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) launched an air and ground attack on Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) air base in Anuradhapura in the early hours of Monday, Liberation Tigers Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told TamilNet. Meanwhile, informed military sources in Colombo said two Russian built MI-24 helicopter gunships stationed in the airbase have been destroyed in the air and ground attack launched between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m. Monday. This is the first time the Tigers have combined both air and ground attack in a raid.
Military Spokesperson of the Tigers, Mr. Irasaiah Ilanthirayan (Marshall)Another helicopter, a Bell 212, flown from the airbase, has crash landed at Doramadalawa in Mihintale area, 13 km east of Anuradhapura, military sources in Colombo said.
3 wounded SLAF airmen have been admitted at the Anuradhapura hospital, according to medical sources.
Continuous explosions were heard inside the airbase from 3:30 a.m. according to Sinhala civilians in the area. The attack was continuing, after 5:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, a SLAF reconnaissance aircraft was observed circling over K'linochchi. Three Kfir fighter jets of the SLAF were also flown over Vanni around 5:00 a.m.
Anuradhapura is situated in the North Central Province, 46 km south of Vavuniyaa and 168 km northeast of Colombo.
SLDefenceMinistry
Terror Attack at Anuradhapura Airbase; Situation Taken Under Control [02nd Lead]
Sri Lanka air force sources say that the pre dawn terrorists attack at Anuradhapura airbase has been effectively countered. A major search operation has been launched in the area by army and police personnel.
A group of LTTE terrorists infiltrated the air base around 3 this morning (October 22) and launched a massive sabotage attempt at the air force assets. Also, two LTTE light aircraft dropped two bombs targeting the airbase around 4 a.m while the ground attack was continuing.
According to the available information two Russian built MI 24 helicopter gunships on ground were severely damaged in the attack. Eight airmen are also reported to have suffered injuries in the incident.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that a Bell 212 helicopter which was on a mission has made a crash land onto Doramadalawa, in the Mihinthale area during the confrontation was on. According to the sources the two pilots and two gunners who were onboard the helicopter, have died in the incident.
LTTE is a ruthless terrorist organization which is fighting for an ethnically pure separate homeland for the Tamils living in Sri Lanka since 1983. The outfit which operates on ideologies based on extreme tribalism has killed over 65,000 people in its two and half decade terrorist war against Sri Lankan citizens.
Having backed by its strong propaganda machinery LTTE has been able to hoodwink the international community on its true nature and also it has been able to enjoy much freedom and continue massive fund raising activities than any other terror outfit in the world. LTTE has made a unique contribution to global terrorism by pioneering terror tactics in suicide bombing, seaborne and clandestine operations and most recently the airborne operations. Jane's Intelligence Review recently revealed that LTTE earns annual income of US$ 300 million.
A group of LTTE terrorists infiltrated the air base around 3 this morning (October 22) and launched a massive sabotage attempt at the air force assets. Also, two LTTE light aircraft dropped two bombs targeting the airbase around 4 a.m while the ground attack was continuing.
According to the available information two Russian built MI 24 helicopter gunships on ground were severely damaged in the attack. Eight airmen are also reported to have suffered injuries in the incident.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that a Bell 212 helicopter which was on a mission has made a crash land onto Doramadalawa, in the Mihinthale area during the confrontation was on. According to the sources the two pilots and two gunners who were onboard the helicopter, have died in the incident.
LTTE is a ruthless terrorist organization which is fighting for an ethnically pure separate homeland for the Tamils living in Sri Lanka since 1983. The outfit which operates on ideologies based on extreme tribalism has killed over 65,000 people in its two and half decade terrorist war against Sri Lankan citizens.
Having backed by its strong propaganda machinery LTTE has been able to hoodwink the international community on its true nature and also it has been able to enjoy much freedom and continue massive fund raising activities than any other terror outfit in the world. LTTE has made a unique contribution to global terrorism by pioneering terror tactics in suicide bombing, seaborne and clandestine operations and most recently the airborne operations. Jane's Intelligence Review recently revealed that LTTE earns annual income of US$ 300 million.
BBC
Rebels attack Sri Lanka air base
Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an attack on an air force base in the north of Sri Lanka, the country's Defence Ministry says. Gunfire and explosions could be heard in Anuradhapura, 210km (130 miles) north of the capital Colombo, before dawn on Monday, the ministry stated.
It also said that a Tigers' plane had dropped two bombs on the base, damaging a military helicopter.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east.
Earlier this year, the Tigers used a plane to bomb an air base, next to the country's only international airport, near Colombo.
The group are believed to have a small number of single-engined light aircraft, which have been smuggled into the north of the country by boat and the reassembled.
The rebels, who have not commented on the latest incident, earlier released photographs of a plane and the pilots.
It was identified as a Czech built propeller-driven two-seater that had been modified to carry bombs.
Monday's attack began at 0320 (2150 GMT Sunday), when a small group of Tamil Tigers penetrated the air force base, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
The rebel plane dropped two bombs soon afterwards, and fighting continued for about two hours.
The military spokesman said that rebels were being pursued in the surrounding area.
There are so far no details of any casualties.
Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an attack on an air force base in the north of Sri Lanka, the country's Defence Ministry says. Gunfire and explosions could be heard in Anuradhapura, 210km (130 miles) north of the capital Colombo, before dawn on Monday, the ministry stated.
It also said that a Tigers' plane had dropped two bombs on the base, damaging a military helicopter.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east.
Earlier this year, the Tigers used a plane to bomb an air base, next to the country's only international airport, near Colombo.
The group are believed to have a small number of single-engined light aircraft, which have been smuggled into the north of the country by boat and the reassembled.
The rebels, who have not commented on the latest incident, earlier released photographs of a plane and the pilots.
It was identified as a Czech built propeller-driven two-seater that had been modified to carry bombs.
Monday's attack began at 0320 (2150 GMT Sunday), when a small group of Tamil Tigers penetrated the air force base, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
The rebel plane dropped two bombs soon afterwards, and fighting continued for about two hours.
The military spokesman said that rebels were being pursued in the surrounding area.
There are so far no details of any casualties.
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