LOC17:24
14:24 GMT
NEW DELHI, June 12 (KUNA) -- Sri Lanka has announced that it has launched
an operation to capture alive the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.
"Sri Lankan military has launched a major offensive to capture alive the
chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), believed to be hiding in
a bunker in Mullaitivu," state-owned Sinhala Newspaper Dinamina reported
Thursday, quoting Army chief Sarath Fonseka.
"The Army is attacking Prabhakaran's hideout ... Our aim is to capture
Prabhakaran alive," Fonseka said.
"Four divisions of Sri Lankan Army are attacking Mullaitivu. Troops are
attacking the LTTE's 1-4 Base complex in an attempt to reach Mullaitivu.
Prabhakaran is believed to be in an underground bunker in the area," he said.
"Prabhakaran is attacking civilians in Southern Sri Lanka as he is
frustrated with military operation in North," claimed Fonseka, who has
survived a suicide attack by the LTTE in 2006. (end)
dr.bz.
KUNA 121724 Jun 08NNNN