Tamil Tiger leader defends use of human bombs

A top Tamil Tiger leader today defended the use of suicide bombers in combat against Sri Lanka’s government as the guerrillas held street parades during an annual memorial for suicide cadres who died while fighting for a separate homeland on the island nation.

Every July 5, the rebels honour members of a special suicide squad, known as the Black Tigers, who are a key part of their struggle for an independent state for the country’s 3.2 million ethnic Tamil minority.

According to latest figures released by the rebels, 273 Black Tigers have died in suicide missions since 1987.

“There are many groups in the world using suicide bombers but the methods of our Black Tigers are more effective and incredible,” rebel official Yogaratnam Yogi said in a speech in the rebel radio Voice of Tigers.

His speech was published on pro-rebel websites.

“Weren’t bombs made to blow up and kill men? So why there is such a cry if only a man becomes a human bomb?” he said.