STF tractor hit by landmine

Rasika SOMARATHNA

BATTICALOA: A tractor carrying STF troops was caught in a landmine explosion at Kokkadicholai in Batticaloa yesterday, killing three STF personnel and severely injuring four others.

According to the Media Centre for National Security the tractor was just passing Manalpitiya junction around 9.00 a.m when the incident occurred.

The STF has launched a massive search operation in the area.

Meanwhile troops successfully repulsed an attack by the LTTE on Forward Defence Lines (FDL) west of Omanthai around 6.00 a.m yesterday.

One soldier was seriously injured and three others suffered minor injuries.

Army sources said that the LTTE had suffered heavy casualties in the attack.