Suicide attack on two merchant ships off KKS harbour
2008-10-22 07:44:53

The LTTE has launched a suicide attack on two merchant ships off Kankesanthurai harbour in Jaffna causing considerable damage to the hull of one of the ships today morning, the Defence Ministry said.

Merchant Ships Ruhuna and Nimalawa was targeted at 5.10, this morning (Oct 22).

Navy spokesperson, Commander D.K.P Dassanayke said that 3 LTTE suicide vessels have come for the attack.

He said Navy sailors providing security onboard the targeted vessels have engaged machine gun fire at the approaching suicide boats effectively, and destroyed two of them before ramming on the ships, however, one of the suicide boat have exploded in close proximity to Merchant Ship Nimalawa causing a considerable damage to the ship's hull .

The third suicide craft has been captured by navy boats. The LTTE suicide cadre who was operating the boat believed to be killed in the Navy retaliation, he added.