This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6586283.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tamil Tigers 'launch air strike' Tamil Tigers bomb military base
(about 5 hours later)
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebel group says it has carried out an air attack against government troops in the north of the country. Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an air attack on a government military base, injuring at least six soldiers, the military has confirmed.
A rebel spokesman said two aircraft attacked a large military base in the government-held Jaffna Peninsula. The attack is thought to be only the second time the Tigers have used air power to hit Sri Lankan targets.
It would be the second time the rebels have used air power, after a strike near the capital, Colombo, last month. An army spokesman said ground fire forced one plane to turn away before it hit its intended target - the main military base on the Jaffna peninsula.
Elsewhere, at least three people were killed and 35 injured by a bomb that hit a passenger bus. But rebels said two aircraft were involved and insisted the base was hit.
The attack, in Vavuniya district, about 250km (155 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, happened late on Monday night. Elsewhere, at least three people were killed and 35 injured by a suspected roadside bomb that hit a passenger bus.
The attack - the third bombing of a civilian bus so far in April - occurred in Vavuniya district, about 250km (155 miles) north of the capital, Colombo.
Vavuniya is the last government-held garrison town before territory held by the separatist Tamil Tigers, blamed for the attack by Sri Lankan officials.Vavuniya is the last government-held garrison town before territory held by the separatist Tamil Tigers, blamed for the attack by Sri Lankan officials.
It is the third bombing of a civilian bus so far in April. 'Strategic hit'
Military officials said the blast was probably caused by a mine planted by the side of the road to target the bus, which was travelling from the neighbouring Mannar area. The Tamil Tigers said the air raid was carried out at night.
The government and the Tamil Tigers have blamed each other for the recent attacks. Experts say the rebels smuggled the light aircraft in piecesThe rebels' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthiriyan, said two aircraft flew over the Palaly military base and dropped bombs, targeting the runway and storage areas.
According to the rebels, the pilots returned safely and reported that their attack had left fires burning on the ground.
At first the military denied any such incident but later a spokesman, Lieutenant Commander Rohan Joseph, said a single aircraft had been spotted flying towards the base.
He said anti-aircraft batteries on the ground fired and the plane turned away.
Lt Joseph said as the aircraft returned to Tiger-held areas it dropped two bombs on the front lines between the two sides, wounding a number of soldiers.
Palaly military base acts as headquarters for operations against the rebels in the north. It is also the supply base for tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in the region.
Theoretical ceasefireTheoretical ceasefire
In March, the rebels launched their first air raid on an air force base next to the island's main airport.
The Tigers later released pictures of an aircraft; a two-seater, propeller-driven Czech trainer adapted to carry bombs.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says it confirmed what analysts had suspected for years - that the rebels were developing an air capability to support ground forces and naval wing.
Experts say the Tigers could have as many as five light aircraft, smuggled into the country in pieces to be assembled in jungle bases.
Both the Tigers and the military are, officially, still observing a 2002 ceasefire which has become meaningless in practice.Both the Tigers and the military are, officially, still observing a 2002 ceasefire which has become meaningless in practice.
Violence began to increase after the 2005 election of President Mahinda Rajapakse. Since then about 4,000 people have been killed.Violence began to increase after the 2005 election of President Mahinda Rajapakse. Since then about 4,000 people have been killed.
In one of the worst incidents more than 60 people - many of them children - were killed in a mine attack the government said the Tigers carried out on a bus in the town of Kabithigollewa, 200km (125 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, last June.
The Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east of the island.The Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east of the island.