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LTTE shoots down copter

COLOMBO, Oct 23 (UNI, PTI) — An MI-24 helicopter of the Sri Lankan Air Force was shot down by the LTTE rebels, while two passenger vessels of the Sri Lankan Navy were destroyed after a Sea Tiger suicide boat entered the Eastern Trincomalee harbour and rammed into the berthed vessels this morning, a defence official said.

Army spokesman Brig S.G Karunaratne said the LTTE launched a pre-dawn attack with artillery and mortar at Trincomalee harbour. A flotilla of four terrorist suicide boats attempted to enter the harbour around 5.30 a.m., but were challenged by the navy.

During confrontation, three enemy boats were destroyed. One Tiger boat, however, managed to enter the harbour and exploded close to the naval bay, damaging one fast passenger carrier and one fast gunboat of the navy.

The naval units deployed outside challenged two more terrorist boats moving towards the harbour and destroyed them.

Brigadier Karunaratne said two sailors were killed and 3 injured (40, according to PTI) in the confrontation, which lasted for more than an hour. At least six rebels were also killed in the attack, he added.

Meanwhile, an MI-24 helicopter of the ground force, which was pressed into service, was missing, the spokesman said. In all probability the helicopter might have been shot down, he said.

The spokesman said there were passengers in the ship at the time of attack, adding that there could be some casualties outside due to the mortar attack by the LTTE.