Residents suspect Sri Lanka Navy involvement in the shooting

Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka Navy has categorically denied any involvement in the incident.

Unidentified assailants have shot dead 13 Tamil civilians in the northern Sri Lankan town of Jaffna on Saturday night, residents said.

Gunshots were heard from islands in Kayts outside Jaffna town where Sri Lanka Navy sailors camping, according to the residents.

“Around 8 pm (SLT) some unknown people have fired at a house in Allaipetti and eight people were dead on the spot,” a journalist in Jaffna told bbcsinhala.com.

Two children, four-month and four-year old, are also among the killed.

The assailants have then fired at a nearby shop injuring three people. One of the injured has succumbed to injuries in Jaffna hospital.

“Within half an-hour the attackers fired at a home in Puliyankudal. Father, mother and the son of one family were killed in the attack,” the journalist added.

Another Tamil civilian was killed in an attack on a service station in Velanai.

The islands are in the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Jaffna and residents suspect the involvement of Sri Lanka Navy, he added.

“Attacks happen in the HSZ and it was late night so residents believe nobody else could come to the area,” he added.

Denying the accusation Brig. Samarasinghe said he could not elaborate on the incident as a magistrate investigation is underway on the killings.