TROOPS, Dec. 12, Reuter: A civilian was killed and a police commando wounded today in a gunfight between Tamil separatist guerrillas and Sri Lankan security forces, the government said.
A statement said the civilian was killed in crossfire when rebels ‘opened fire on a patrol at Ariyam patti in the eastern district of Batticaloa. Sixteen suspected guerrillas were arrested.
The rebels, fighting for a separate Tamil state, attacked a train yesterday in Batticaloa and wounded a soldier and two civilians, the statement said. Troops travelling in the train retuned fire.
Two more security men were wounded yesterday at Vakaneri, also in Batticaloa district, when rebels set off a landmine.
Guerrillas last night fired at a police station at Vavuniya in Northern Province after security forces had detained 12 suspected rebels for qoning, the statement said. No damage or casualties were reported.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 19, 1986
