Sea Tigers boarded the ship carrying 27,000 tons of ilmanite mineral destined for Rotterdam, on 9 September. In the clash that followed with soldiers on board, the ship was badly damaged. Six soldiers and four civilians were killed and 19 including five of the 32-member crew are missing. The LTTE has pledged to continue attacks at sea.
The security forces launched Operation Hard Punch on 10 September in Upparu south of Koddiyar Bay where LTTE activity is said to be increasing. As the Army searched Vannathikulam, the LTTE shot dead a Home Guard in Kinniya on 26 September. The Navy detained three Muslim traders in late September accusing them of supplying explosives to the Tigers.
Over 90 fishermen were arrested by the Navy on 29 September off Muthur. In Trincomalee over 5,800 families in 102 villages depend on fishing. Since 1990, over 800 boats have been destroyed. A ban on night fishing and other military restrictions have drastically reduced their income. In the last five years, fish production has fallen from 12,300 tons a year to less than 8,000 tons.