Shootout between army personnel and armed men in Settikulam

One person was injured in a shootout between army personnel and a group of armed men at a forest reserve in Settikulam, Vavuniya yesterday. 

Settikulam Police said the shootout occurred between a group of army personnel and several armed men inside Kattachchi forest reserve. Police said the army personnel were carrying out an operation inside the forest reserve against timber racketeers when they were shot at, prompting soldiers to return fire. 

Police said the group that had fired upon the soldiers consisted of three armed men. One of these was injured during the confrontation and was admitted to Settikulam Hospital, before being transferred to Vavuniya Hospital for further treatment. 

The other two armed men escaped during the shootout. Police added that they have received information that one of them too had been injured in the confrontation. Police are conducting further investigations to arrest them. 

Police and the army are conducting a joint investigation into whether the soldiers were fired at after coming upon some timber racketeers or if the armed men had specifically tried to ambush soldiers who were engaged in the operation. 

By Romesh Madushanka