Two others were seriously wounded. The next day, the police searched Mannar town and took into custody a number of people.
Reports say soldiers attacked civilians during the search.
The Tigers ambushed a police patrol at Adampan, six miles south-east of Mannar, on 31 March, killing five policemen and injuring three others. On the same day, the Army shot dead five civilians near Uyilankulam alleging that they attempted to smuggle banned goods into LTTE-held areas. LTTE activity in the western sea has increased, observers say. Nine people in the boat, including three Indian nationals, were detained. The security forces imposed a ban on fishing in Mannar sea for a week from 8 March.