Rebel Leader Reported Killed by Land Mine
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels’ leader in eastern Sri Lanka was killed when the motorcycle he was riding hit a land mine, military and rebel sources said.
Tamil Tiger rebels accused the military of planting the mine that killed Nizzam, who was in charge of rebel operations in the eastern Batticaloa and Ampara districts. Most rebel leaders use either one name or a pseudonym. Batticaloa is 136 miles east of Colombo, the capital.
The military confirmed the death but denied that it was involved.
The rebels are fighting for a homeland for Sri Lanka’s 3.2 million minority Tamils. More than 63,000 people have been killed since the war broke out in 1983.
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