army. Civilian killings Massacre of police officers In June 1990, the LTTE eastern cadres, led by then-LTTE Eastern commander Karuna Amman, killed 774 police officers stationed in the Eastern province, after they had surrendered to the LTTE. Palliyagodella massacre The background to this attack was seen as a retaliation by the LTTE against Muslims believed to be working as an informers for the government forces in the Eastern region of Sri Lanka, and allegedly for their roles as Home Guards. The Palliyagodella villagers had asked the Sri Lankan military, fearing an attack by the LTTE, for protection. The Sri Lankan forces issued shotguns to the Muslims and Singhalese villagers, which some Muslims used to attack Tamil civilians and LTTE. Because of these incidents in October 1991 in which LTTE militants killed 109 Muslims in Palliyagodella. See also Eelam War I Eelam War III Eelam War IV Sri Lankan Civil War References Phases of the Sri Lankan Civil War 1990s in Sri Lanka 1990s conflicts Counterterrorism in Sri Lanka Guerrilla wars Tamil Eelam History of Sri Lanka (1948–present) Military history of Sri Lanka 1990 in Sri Lanka 1991 in Sri Lanka 1992 in Sri Lanka 1993 in Sri Lanka 1994 in Sri Lanka 1995 in Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Civil War