LTTE ship destroyed, 24 believed killed

At least 24 people were believed to have been killed when Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday attacked and destroyed a ship carrying arms for the Tiger rebels, even as a series of gunbattles in the island8217;s troubled north left eight guerrillas and a soldier dead.

8220;The attack on the ship took place in the Indian Ocean, at the high seas off Dondra Head, of the southern coastal tip of Sri Lanka at around 8.45 am today,8221; a top naval official said.

8220;Initially, the Navy had received credible information about the ship bound towards Sri Lanka and detected it,8221; the official said, adding the confrontation resulted in the Navy 8220;completely8221; destroying the ship and sinking it.

8220;There were 24 to 25 people aboard the ship and we believe all of them have been killed,8221; Defence Spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said.