New Delhi: An LTTE aircraft bombed two oil storage installations close to the Lankan capital in retaliation to air raids on their headquarters on Sunday. An LTTE spokesperson said oil storage facilities were targeted because they provided fuel to Lankan forces.
The attacks were targeted at Shell gas storage facility at Muthurajawala and an oil storage depot at Kolonnawa in Colombo. The two bombs dropped on the oil facility failed to explode.
Security forces fired anti-aircraft guns and tracer bullets after suspected Tiger aircraft were spotted flying towards Colombo. Power was switched off as residents were watching the cricket World Cup in Barbados.
"The suspected LTTE aircraft have (dropped) four improvised bombs," the ministry was quoted as saying.
Two LTTE aircraft carried out the attacks in retaliation for military air raids on their territory. The two squadrons were dispatched after Sri Lankan air force jets had bombed targets in Kilinochchi in the north where the rebels have their headquarters.
The air force confirmed a rebel claim that the military war planes had bombed the outskirts of the rebel-held Kilinochchi town, before the Tigers staged their tit-for-tat attack.
Air force spokesman Ajantha Silva said they carried out a second air strike against the Tigers after the rebel air strikes here early this morning.
With agencies inputs
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
The Last Word: What lessons have we learnt after Uttarakhand tragedy?
Watch: How rescue teams battle with the destruction in Uttarakhand
Rescue conditions bad, paramilitary forces doing their best: RPN Singh
Uttarakhand floods: Security forces lead rescue
Uttarakhand floods: Security forces lead rescue
Advani aide calls Modi an 'autocrat', Rajnath 'foxy' president
In an easy win for Nitish Kumar, Cong backs JD(U), BJP walks out
Nitish attacks Modi, says the Gujarat CM blows his own trumpet
