16.2.2008

Terrorists are fleeing the tensed battle lines with soaring casualties as SLA stepped-up multi-pronged attacks at LTTE positions in Wanni and North, military sources said.

According to latest reports, SLA infantry and artillery batteries are closing into the LTTE main strongholds in Kilinochchi and Mullattivu districts, with five battle divisions in four fronts. Senior military officials said that, troops are surging with victories over diminishing LTTE resistance, in their quest to liberate thousands stranded in the LTTE hellholes.

Meanwhile, in confrontations between troops and LTTE at Wanni and North defences on Friday (15), at least 15 terrorists were killed and 7 wounded. The reports also stated that 2 soldiers have laid their lives while 10 others were reported wounded.

At the Jaffna front, in Nagarkovil troops on observing an LTTE infiltration attempt launched small arms fire, security sources said. Troops confirmed a terrorist was killed in the attack while recovering a hand grenade in a search operation conducted.

Meantime, troops also recovered following items whilst conducting a search in general area Thaddankulama, at 2.30p.m.

a. 01 x Hand Grenade

b. 04 x T 56 magazines

c. 01 x T 81 magazine

In clashes at the Vavuniya front in general area Periyapantrichurichan, 7 terrorists were reported killed and a solider injured yesterday at 1.20p.m. Five soldiers were reported wounded in an LTTE trapped mine explosion at Kallikulama ahead of LTTE defences.

Meanwhile, a terrorist was reported killed in a separate confrontation with an LTTE movement in general area Periyapantrichurichchan at 8.30a.m., sources said. Troops ambushed a group of terrorists at Kallikulama, killing 3 while similar numbers were reported wounded yesterday morning, Wanni sources said. According to sources, troops have recovered a T-56 assault riffle in subsequent search operations in the area. During the incident a soldier sustained injuries and was admitted to general hospital in Vavuniya, sources added.

In general area Periyapantrichurichchan, troops advanced into LTTE dominated territory overran an LTTE bunker and recovered following warlike items, security sources said.

a. 03 x 122 mm trap

b. 03 x T 56 magazines

c. 06 x hand grenades

In general area Arumukattanoutakulam, Mannar a soldier laid his life during confrontation while another was reported wounded in clashes with LTTE at Adampan, around 6.30p.m. A terrorist was also killed in a SLA sinper attack in general area Pallaikkuli, at 6.45a.m., sources reported.

Meanwhile, troops continued to advance into LTTE defences ahead of Welioya at Kokkuthuduwal and Andankulama on Friday, security sources said. At Andankulama, in confrontation with LTTE, two terrorists were reported and 4 injured the sources said. Two soldiers were also wounded in an AP mine explosion at Kokkuthuduval, at 6.25p.m.

Courtesy - Sri Lanka Defence