TERRORISTS IN CYPRUS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 11

TERRORISTS IN CYPRUS

17 Caught In Sweep

NICOSIA, June 4. Another member of the security forces was killed in an ambush this mornin? near Aloa village, 10 miles north of Famaaaista, an official statement said this morning.

He was the second member killed in 24 hours. The other died when two military vehicles were ambushed near Larnaca, in southern Cyprus, during the night.

The vehicles were attacked with automatic weapons from prepared positions at a road bend near the Dhekelia military base (the £13.000.000 Cyprus base now under construction)

The two security men killed were the fortieth and forty-first to be killed by terrorist action in Cyprus. The English-language newspaper. “Times o f Cyprus.” reported today that a third wanted terrorist with a price of £5OOO on his head had been captured in the mass sweep by British forces in north-west Cyprus. An official statement last night said that two of the 17 terrorists captured in the sweep, which began on May 17. had a price of £5OOO on them. The third terrorist was reported to be Marcos Dracos who was named by Major Brian Coombe. the British George Medal winner, as being one of four terrorists who ambushed him lasi December.

Dracos who w’as wounded by Major Coombe’s return fire, disappeared over the crest of a hill during the engagement.

One report said the member of the security forces killed near Aloa was ehot when gunmen stopped his car on the road to Famagusta.

Another report suggested he had got cut of his car and was then shot down from behind.