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| Rebels attack Sri Lanka air base | Rebels attack Sri Lanka air base |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an attack on an air force base in the north of Sri Lanka, the country's Defence Ministry says. | Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an attack on an air force base in the north of Sri Lanka, the country's Defence Ministry says. |
| Eight airmen have been wounded after a Tigers' plane dropped two bombs at the base in Anuradhapura, 210km (130 miles) north of the capital Colombo. | |
| Four airmen were killed when a helicopter searching for the attackers crashed in the area, the military says. | |
| The Tamil Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east. | The Tamil Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east. |
| Gunfire and explosions could be heard in Anuradhapura before dawn on Monday, the ministry stated. | |
| A military spokesman said that two helicopters had been damaged in the attack on the base. | |
| Earlier this year, the Tigers used a plane to bomb an air base, next to the country's only international airport, near Colombo. | Earlier this year, the Tigers used a plane to bomb an air base, next to the country's only international airport, near Colombo. |
| The group are believed to have a small number of single-engined light aircraft, which have been smuggled into the north of the country by boat and then reassembled. | The group are believed to have a small number of single-engined light aircraft, which have been smuggled into the north of the country by boat and then reassembled. |
| The rebels, who have not commented on the latest incident, earlier released photographs of a plane and the pilots. | The rebels, who have not commented on the latest incident, earlier released photographs of a plane and the pilots. |
| It was identified as a Czech built propeller-driven two-seater that had been modified to carry bombs. | It was identified as a Czech built propeller-driven two-seater that had been modified to carry bombs. |
| Monday's attack began at 0320 (2150 GMT Sunday), when a small group of Tamil Tigers penetrated the air force base, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. | Monday's attack began at 0320 (2150 GMT Sunday), when a small group of Tamil Tigers penetrated the air force base, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. |
| The rebel plane dropped two bombs soon afterwards, and fighting continued for about two hours. | The rebel plane dropped two bombs soon afterwards, and fighting continued for about two hours. |
| The military spokesman said that rebels were being pursued in the surrounding area. | The military spokesman said that rebels were being pursued in the surrounding area. |