9.8.2008


Finalized military reports received from battlefronts in Wanni theatre of operations indicate 32 deaths , 10 casualties and 9 more as either deaths or casualties to the LTTE in yesterday's (August 8) clashes. Also, 4 soldiers laid down their lives and 15 others suffered wounds during the day's operations.

Troops of Army 57 division continued their military push towards and around strategically vital Tunukkai and Mallavi in course of the day .

Troops marching Northwards passing Tunukkai junction from the West met with stiff resistance from the terrorists in the Tenniyankulama area , located 6.5 Km Northeast of Tunukkai . Pitched battles erupted from morning till evening as troops started to dominate the road running from Tunukkai to Nachchikudha . Troops claimed 17 terrorists were killed during these clashes. Also, 3 soldiers died and 8 others suffered injuries due to LTTE mortar fire and booby traps.

Meanwhile, troops of the same division operating South of Mallavi area confronted with a group of terrorists around 11 AM and claimed 3 terrorists were killed. In separate incidents , two soldiers suffered injuries , one due to terror small arms fire and the other due to an AP (anti personnel) mine explosion earlier on the same day.

Troops of Task Force 2 operating in the Eastern flank of the Vavuniya- Mannar battlefront, attacked and captured an LTTE bunker located in the Palaimoddai area around 7 AM. One soldier died in this incident. During subsequent search, troops found one RPG bomb, 3 hand grenades and one T-56 magazine.

Troops of 61 division operating further Southwards to the Task Force 2 , attacked an LTTE bunker located in the Palamoddaikulama area around 7.45 AM and confirmed 5 terrorists were killed and another wounded.

In the meantime, troops of Task Force 1, kept on marching North of Vellankulama on the Mannar- Pooneryn road during the day. 3 soldiers suffered injuries during the march due to AP mine explosion occurred in the Kallamparawa and Adappankulama areas.

On the Welioya front, troops had daylong clashes with the terrorists in North of Andankulama, and Kiriibbanwewa in the Mullaittivu forest and claimed 7 terrorists were killed, 9 others wounded and 9 more were either killed or wounded during the day's clashes. Also, 2 soldiers suffered injuries in two separate clashes occurs in the North of Andankulma area.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in mine clearing operation removed 106 AP mines and 4 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) from North of Janakapura and Andankualma areas during the day.

Liberation operations are being continued.