SL war planes bomb suspected LTTE targets

Colombo, Feb 15: Supersonic fighter jets of the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed a suspected Sea Tiger operational base at Nayaru in the rebel heartland of Mullaitivu this morning, defence sources said.

''The fighter jets have taken the target that has been identified through air surveillance carried out during last two days,'' Ministry of Defence said. ''The target has been identified as a forward operational base (FOB) and a training facility for sea tigers. Fighter pilots have confirmed that the raid was successful,'' the Ministry said.

This is the second air raid in consecutive days on suspected LTTE targets in Mullaitivu from where the elusive rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is suspected to be operating. Fresh air raids have come amid reports of fierce clashes between the advancing government troops and the fighting formations of the Tamil Tiger rebels.

According to claims by both the parties, over 1000 combatants have been killed since the beginning of this year.

There was no immediate word from the Tamil Tiger rebels regarding the fresh air raids.

UNI