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Rebels attack Sri Lanka air base Rebels attack Sri Lanka air base
(about 2 hours 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. At least two airmen and 10 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in fighting at a Sri Lanka air force base in the north of the country, the military said.
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 more airmen were killed when their helicopter sent to provide back-up crashed in the area.
Four airmen were killed when a helicopter searching for the attackers crashed in the area, the military says. Two rebel planes dropped bombs on the base amid heavy gunfire, in what correspondents say is their first combined air and land attack.
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. Tourist attraction
A military spokesman said that two helicopters had been damaged in the attack on the base. Gunfire and explosions could be heard in Anuradhapura, 210km (130 miles) north of the capital Colombo, before dawn on Monday, the ministry stated.
Earlier this year, the Tigers used a plane to bomb an air base, next to the country's only international airport, near Colombo. The attack began at 0320 (2150 GMT Sunday), when a small group of Tamil Tigers penetrated the air force base, said military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara.
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 base is well inside government territory and the ruins of an ancient civilisation there attract many tourists.
The rebels, who have not commented on the latest incident, earlier released photographs of a plane and the pilots. During the fighting, two rebel aircraft flew overhead and dropped bombs.
It was identified as a Czech built propeller-driven two-seater that had been modified to carry bombs. Brig Nanayakkara said several men on the ground were killed and many others wounded, while two helicopters were damaged.
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. Four more airmen lost their lives when their helicopter sent to provide back-up crashed a few kilometres from the base.
The rebel plane dropped two bombs soon afterwards, and fighting continued for about two hours. The military insisted it went down because of a technical fault, not gunfire.
The military spokesman said that rebels were being pursued in the surrounding area. The bodies of a number of rebels were later found in the base.
But Tigers spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said the planes involved in the attack got away, as they did after three air raids earlier this year.
The rebels are believed to have a small fleet of Czech-made two-seater propeller driven aircraft.
They are thought to have been smuggled into Sri Lanka in pieces, reassembled and modified to carry bombs.
Earlier this year, the Tigers used such a plane to bomb an air base next to the country's only international airport, near Colombo.