Air Force warplanes carried out three separate air strikes today (April 23) targeting LTTE positions in the Muhamalai, in the Jaffna theatre of battle. Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya speaking exclusively to defence.lk said triple air raids were launched to support army soldiers battling against the terrorists in the Muhamalai Forward Defence Line (FDL).

The first air raid was launched by fighter jets at 1.30 pm targeting two heavy gun positions located about 10 Km to 12 Km south of LTTE FDL , Air Force spokesman said. Pilots confirmed to have accurate hits and expect significant damages to the terror guns, he added.

The second strike was also conducted by fighters around 1.45 pm targeting a rendezvous point (RV) of the terrorists located behind their second line of defence, said the spokesman. Citing pilots he added that the target was accurately hit but the exact damage to the terrorists is not known.

The third air raid was conducted around 0345 p.m., as a close ground air support move by MI 24 helicopter gunships targeting bunkers located on the LTTE's 2nd line of defence. The exact damage of this attack too is yet to be ascertained, he added.