In the Army shelling that followed, a student was killed in Akkaraichenai and three others were wounded. Local people say a masked gang attacked the Tamils in the area. On 27 October, Samithambi Ilankeeran was cut with swords and wounded. Over 400 Tamils and Muslims fled from their homes. On the same day a child was killed and five others were injured in a grenade attack. The authorities imposed a curfew on 28 October, after a Muslim youth was hacked to death. Reports say that normalcy was restored after the Army summoned the gang members and warned them. The LTTE said in a statement that they have no intention of attacking Muslim civilians but urged them to ensure that police and Army posts inside Muslim schools are removed.
The Tigers have intensified operations in Trincomalee District. The Airforce base at Velvarikulam on Trincomalee-Anuradhapura road was targeted on 9 October. Four Airforce personnel were killed and seven were wounded. Eleven security personnel died and 15 were injured on 1 November, in a Tiger assault on Muthur 64th Mile military base. Reports say the Tigers removed a large quantity of arms and shelled Kaddaiparichchan and Pachchanur Army camps. A shell injured five civilians in Kadduchenai.
In Batticaloa District, the LTTE carried out cordon and search operations in areas it controls. This followed remote-controlled claymore mine attacks on several LTTE leaders. The Tigers blame the Army’s Deep Penetration Unit, but the military have denied involvement. LTTE Deputy leader Karikalan’s vehicle was damaged by a claymore mine at Kadukkamunai on 18 October. Reports say Mr Karikalan was not in the vehicle at the time of the attack.
The LTTE abducted a number of Muslim civilians for ransom during October. Astrologer MT Ibralebbe was abducted at Natpittimunai on 5 October. Sammanthurai engineer AM Ansar was taken on 4 October but was released the following day. In Eravur, M Abdul Razak and MS Fareed were abducted on 25 October. Lorry driver P Wahaf and M Fowsul remain in Tiger custody.
Local people say that Tamil-Muslim relations in the east has been affected by the spate of abductions. Some eastern Muslim organisations have decided to meet with the LTTE to discuss the issue. Meanwhile, Tamil-Muslim friendship associations have urged the LTTE to release six bullock carts hijacked by the Tigers. They say the carts belong to poor Muslim families.