British security officials have responded to a Mossad – Israeli Intelligence service - request and are investigating the possibility that an IRA marksman was responsible for killing ten Israeli soldiers and settlers near the West Bank settlement of Ofra last Sunday.
The marksman, hidden in trees overlooking an Israeli army checkpoint, fired 25 shots from a bolt-action rifle over a 25-minute period of time.
When he fled he left behind his weapon, which is trademark IRA practice, raising Mossad suspicions that the sniper could possibly be an IRA agent or a special forces-trained contract person.
The London Sunday Telegraph reported that British officials are now checking into the matter of whether known IRA members capable of carrying out such an operation or training others to do so have traveled abroad recently.
"To be able to get 10 kills in 25 minutes using 25 rounds without being spotted means this guy is good," a security official told the paper.
"He could be a former member of the IRA; he could be a former member of a special forces unit. He is clearly well trained," the official added.
The IRA has longstanding links with the PLO and other Middle East groups, and at least one member of the IRA's army council is known to be an Arabic speaker. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
