The raid took place near Poovarankulam about fifteen kilometers west of Vavuniya town.
These policemen had been trained for combat duties in the Vanni.
The army opened a route through Poovarankulam last week to civilians moving in and out of the Vanni areas which are under the LTTE's control.
The attack was at Sengappadai one and a half miles west of Kurukkal Puthukkulam which is near Poovarasankulam -all on the Vavuniya Mannar road.
Police sources said that the Liberation Tiger group launched the attack from the Wilpattu jungles south of the road.
However, sources in Vavuniya said the LTTE attack group is based in the Pavatakulam area near Chettikulam.
