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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Tamil Tigers bomb military base | Tamil Tigers bomb military base |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an air attack on a government military base and later injured at least six soldiers, the military said. | |
| The attack is thought to be only the second time the Tigers have used air power to hit Sri Lankan targets. | The attack is thought to be only the second time the Tigers have used air power to hit Sri Lankan targets. |
| 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. | 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. |
| But rebels said two aircraft were involved and insisted the base was hit. | But rebels said two aircraft were involved and insisted the base was hit. |
| Elsewhere, at least three people were killed and 35 injured by a suspected roadside bomb that hit a passenger bus. | 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. | 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. |
| 'Strategic hit' | 'Strategic hit' |
| The Tamil Tigers said the air raid was carried out at night. | The Tamil Tigers said the air raid was carried out at night. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 ceasefire | Theoretical ceasefire |
| In March, the rebels launched their first air raid on an air force base next to the island's main airport. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |