Government troops

The government defence spokesman said that considerable damage has been inflicted on the LTTE target.

The LTTE claimed that this was not a base camp of the sea tigers but an area where civilian’s lived.Spokesman R. Ilantherian, of the LTTE confirmed that a building has been damaged and civilians have fled the area.

In Batticaloa rebels fired at an army checkpoint injuring one soldier, while a mine blast killed a police officer in Valachchenai, said Military spokesman Samarasinghe.

The LTTE spokesman R.Ilantherian, said that this attack was carried out by the LTTE to stop the army advancing in to rebel held territory.

An employee of the New Zealand-funded United Office Project which helps civilians in the east who were affected by the tsunami was shot in the Thirukovil area. The victim, identified as Leslie Pulendran succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile the International Red Cross confirmed that a ship carrying essential food stuff has arrived in Jaffna from Colombo on Thursday evening.