3 civilians were killed and 2 wounded following an indiscriminate LTTE gunfire attack this morning (March 6), at a group of civilians who were fleeing from the declared no fire zone at Mullaittivu.

The civilians, 76 in numbers have managed to escape from the LTTE clutches on 6 boats when they were chased by LTTE attack craft in the coastal waters off Mullaittivu. Naval craft immediately engaged the LTTE boats forcing them to retreat and rescued the civilians escorting them to safety and later handed them to the Army personnel at Point Pedro.  

According to Army media, 3 boats with civilians had managed to land at Kevil-Chundikkulam area near Vethaliakerni with one injured civilian while, the rest were escorted to general area Munai in the Jaffna peninsula.  The injured civilians were admitted to the general hospital at Manthikai at Point Pedro, security sources said.  

Three civilians who had received severe head and chest injuries due to LTTE gunfire have succumbed to injuries, the sources further said.

Courtesy: Defence.lk