News from Tamil Eelam - 25 December 1997

SINHALESE TROOPS DEMOLISH TAMIL HOMES IN JAFFNA
        Occupying Sinhalese forces last Thursday set off explosives and
        demolished a Tamil civilian's home in Alvai (Jaffna). This followed
        the blowing up of several Tamil houses by Sri Lankan soldiers in the
        same area just days before. Tamil residents are in a state of shock,
        worried about their personal safety in the midst of such attacks.

LTTE ATTACKS ON OCCUPYING SINHALESE FORCES
        LTTE forces on Wednesday counter-attacked a unit of Sinhalese troops
        during the early dawn in Kilinochchi. The Sinhalese unit had moved 1.5
        KM from their army camp and had been lying concealed in darkness
        waiting to ambush when LTTE forces spotted them and opened fire. The
        resultant clash, which began at 4.30 AM, went on for 6 hours during
        which time more than 4 Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and some arms
        and ammunition were captured by the LTTE. LTTE forces lost 4 fighters.

        Meanwhile, on Tuesday LTTE forces ambushed Sinhalese soldiers
        patrolling in an army truck in Usan (near Chavakachchery, Jaffna). An
        army major and 3 soldiers were killed while LTTE forces suffered no
        casualties.

        2 LTTE fighters died on Sunday in an unexpected clash with occupying
        Sinhalese troops in Varani (Jaffna).

        On December 10, LTTE Lt. Naresh died in an unexpected confrontation
        with the occupying Sinhalese army in Nallur (Jaffna).

	
(English translation of the news released by LTTE International Secretariat,
211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU, United Kingdom.Tel:0181- 503 4294)