Air Force attacks several LTTE targets

Rafik Jalaldeen

Air Force fighter jets and MI-24 helicopter gunships carried out air sorties targeting an LTTE command centre, boatyard and gathering places in Mannar yesterday, Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

"Ground troops on the Mannar front were supported by Air Force fighters to march forward towards the LTTE lines," Wing Commander Nanayakkara told the Daily News. The Air Force fighter jets carried out an attack targeting the LTTE command centre yesterday around 7.40 a.m.

"The target was located at the Parappakandal junction which was used by the LTTE cadres as a command centre to carry out their activities against the Security Forces advancing to liberate the Mannar front," he added.

In a separate air raid based on information obtained from the Navy, Air Force fighter jets carried out an attack at an LTTE boatyard concealing a number of boats at a beach in Chundikulam yesterday around 2.00 p.m.

"The Navy observed that an LTTE boat caught fire," Wing Commander Nanayakkara said.

The Air Force jets took another target, a Tiger gathering point in Periyamadhu.

"The air attack was launched at around 2.10 a.m. and the target was located East of Periyamadhu Tank", he added.

Meanwhile, Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships pounded an LTTE gathering place in Adampan Town yesterday at around 4.40 p.m.