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Tamil Tigers in second air attack Tamil Tigers in deadly air attack
(about 6 hours later)
Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an air attack on the Sri Lankan military's main base in northern Jaffna peninsula. Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an air attack on the Sri Lankan military's main base in northern Jaffna peninsula, killing at least six soldiers.
The rebels said they used two aircraft and insisted Palaly base was hit. The air force said there was one plane and it had stopped it reaching its target. The rebels said they used two light aircraft to bomb Palaly base. The air force said the soldiers died when a rebel bomb hit a bunker in the base.
It said the attackers had been driven away by gunfire on the ground.
The attack is only the second time the Tamil Tigers have used air power in their long conflict with the military.The attack is only the second time the Tamil Tigers have used air power in their long conflict with the military.
The military says that elsewhere in the north, six soldiers were killed in an artillery exchange with the rebels. The vast 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.
A military statement said the Tigers fired artillery from the Pooneryn area, injuring six soldiers who "later succumbed due to injuries".
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.
'Strategic hit''Strategic hit'
The Tamil Tigers said the air raid was carried out at night. The Tamil Tigers and the military said the air raid was carried out in the middle of the night.
Experts say the rebels smuggled light aircraft in pieces They dropped three bombs but two of them were off target Cabinet Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle
The rebels' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthiriyan, said two aircraft flew over the Palaly military base and dropped bombs, targeting the runway and storage areas. The rebels' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthiriyan, said two aircraft flew over the base and dropped bombs.
He said the airstrip and a storage depot were hit.
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 said that a single aircraft had been spotted flying towards the base.
He said anti-aircraft batteries on the ground fired and the plane turned away. A spokesman said anti-aircraft batteries on the ground fired and the plane turned away before it hit its intended target.
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. Cabinet Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle visited the site of the bombing later and told the BBC Sinhala service the rebels had dropped three bombs "but two of them were off target".
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. "The other bomb was dropped on one of the bunkers from which the military was firing at them. Six soldiers who were in the bunker were killed as a result."
In separate violence, at least three people were killed and 35 injured by a suspected roadside bomb that hit a passenger bus. The military says the rebels were also firing artillery in the area at the time.
In separate violence, at least five 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.
Theoretical ceasefireTheoretical 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.
Experts say the rebels smuggled light aircraft in pieces
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.