E-Paper
Trawler with ammo for LTTE bursts in Palk Strait
It was not immediately clear what triggered the explosion, but officials said there had been no exchange of fire.
A multi-day fishing trawler with a large consignment of munitions for the LTTE, exploded in the Palk Strait on Saturday, the Sri Lankan Navy said.
The Palk Strait is a narrow stretch of shallow sea, which divides North West Sri Lanka and South Tamil Nadu.
The Sri Lankan navy spokesman, Com Dassanayake, said that the large Indian type trawler exploded when a Sri Lankan Fast Attack Craft (FAC) approached it off Iranathivu Island, 10 nautical miles from Thalaimannar at about 5 pm.
"The naval personnel had wanted to stop the big Indian trawler and board it for inspection, when the explosion occurred. There was no firing. There are no survivors from among the men in the trawler," he said.
The trawler, carrying high explosives and arms and ammunition, was on its way to Vidathalthivu in the LTTE-controlled part of Mannar district, the spokesman said.
A Sri Lankan government release confirmed the incident and the mission of the trawler and said that a naval sailor was seriously injured.
On January 26, the Sri Lankan navy had chased and seized an Indian trawler with 38 packages containing 64, 000 electric detonators. The seizure took place on Katchchativu Island, mid way between India and Sri Lanka. The consignment was meant for the LTTE, the navy said.
Friday's incident had taken place just 15 nautical miles from the January 26 incident, Com Dassanayake said.
