Troops of Task Force 1 marching along the Mannar- Poonaryn road (A-32) on the Kilinochchi southern front today reached the outer defences of Nachchikudha LTTE stronghold.

According to the defence sources in the area, troops have been able to dominate about 1 km stretch of the earth hump made by the LTTE, located in the Vannerikkulam area, East of Nachchikudha. Fierce fighting prevailed in the area from morning to evening, sources said.

Meanwhile radio-monitoring reports confirmed that 12 terrorists were killed and 15 others injured on the Kilinochchi front alone, in the day's clashes. In addition, reports indicate that 4 soldiers suffered injuries during the same.