Colombo:Two Indian radar technicians were wounded when Tamil Tigers staged an air attack on a strategic Sri lankan military base on Tuesday, but were chased by Air Force fighters which for the first time shot down one of the planes.

The Tigers air strike on the military base in Vavuniya came as part of a brazen counter-attack by the rebels that led to heavy fighting on the ground in which 22 people, including 10 soldiers and equal number of guerrillas were killed.

Sources said the two Indians, identified as Roop and Thakur, were carrying out maintenance and training of Sri Lankan personnel manning an Indian-supplied radar at the northern airbase.

The two were evacuated for treatment to Colombo, sources said. They were stated to be out of danger.

Indian High Commission officials said the two workers sustained minor injuries.

Air Defence radars picked up two LTTE light aircraft while they were approaching the Vavuniya area early this morning, Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

"One of the aircraft has been shot down in the Mullaitivu skies while running away following the failed mission," Nanayakkara said. This is the first time that Sri Lankan fighters have been able to intercept an LTTE light aircraft.

The LTTE aircraft appeared to have been part of a massive ground attack launched by the rebels aimed at a complex of Sri Lankan air and land bases.

So far, LTTE, which is believed to have four light fighters in its armoury have carried out three to four daring missions in the heart of the island nation, eluding radars and fighters.

The latest LTTE attack targeting the base at Vavuniya was the first major rebel strike in government-held areas since the military began capturing large swathes of Tiger strongholds in restive northern Sri Lanka.

According to reports, the Tigers launched a pre-dawn ground assault coordinated with artillery fire and the air raid.

"The LTTE launched artillery fire targetingthe army camp in order to prevent counter-attack and directed their ground assault at the airbase," the military said.

It said 10 soldiers were killed and 15 others injured due to the LTTE artillery fire. Ten rebels were gunned down in the fierce battle, it said.

One police constable and a civilian were alsokilled and five Air Force personnel suffered injuries in the attack.

Tamil Tiger rebels denied Sri Lankan government claims that one of their planes was shot down.

They, however, said they lost 10 suicide bombers who took part in the coordinated ground and air attack against the Vavuniya military complex.

"The aircraft of the Air Tigers that participated in the sortie safely returned home," Tiger spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said in a statement.
Source : DNA