February 10 – A 17-year-old boy was killed after police opened fire on a van driving recklessly near Allapiddy Junction in the Kayts Police Division.
Police stated that officers had signaled a suspicious van to stop, but the vehicle sped towards Mandativu, ignoring orders. A Kayts police jeep was dispatched to intercept the van.
According to authorities, initial warning shots were fired into the air when the van did not stop. When the vehicle continued, police fired at the van to bring it to a halt.
The driver, identified as a 17-year-old resident of Waddu Koddai, was admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital after being shot, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police reported that the van’s number plate had been removed. Two other individuals in the vehicle at the time have been arrested. Further investigations are ongoing, led by Kayts Police and the Jaffna Divisional Crime Investigation Unit.
