COLOMBO: At least 30 Muslims were killed in east during the past 24 hours even as LTTE militants launched a simultaneous attack on a number of military establishments in the north, including the besieged Jaffna fort since early Saturday morning.
Eight militants were killed in operations by the government forces during the period.
A defence ministry communiqué said the Muslims travelling in three vehicles were waylaid by the militants in eastern Ampara district Friday.
However, unconfirmed reports reaching here said at least 60 persons were killed in the incident.
Muslim residents reached over telephone confirmed the incident but could not say exactly how many persons were killed or who was responsible for the killings.
Several Muslims were killed by LTTE earlier also a predominantly Muslim populated locality, for allegedly collaborating with the government forces.
Eight LITE militants were killed when government forces destroyed an LTTE camp in northern Mankulam. One soldier was also injured in the confrontation, military officials said.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka government invited tenders for supply of Bell helicopters and Siai Marchetti fighter’s jets in their bid to equip the air force to face the challenge of LTTE militants fighting for a separate Tamil Eelam in the northeastern part of the island.
The 1 7th century Jaffna fort and Mankulam army camp, ‘both under militant siege since last month, were among the military establishments that came under intermittent mortar and machine gun attack.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 27, 1990
