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40 killed in Lankan air force plane crash

All 36 soldiers and four crew members aboard an AN-26 aircraft of the Sri Lankan Air Force were killed when the plane crashed today after developing a fault in its engine, a defence spokesman said.

The aircraft was carrying personnel injured in the Elephant Pass battle when it crashed in Thalawa near Anuradhapura in the central province at 1150 hrs.

It was flying from Palay airbase in Jaffna to Anuradhapura.

It was reported that the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft had sent a message that the engine had developed some trouble. The defence sources said there was no possibility of any survivors.

UNI

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