23.7.2008

Security Forces operating ahead of Illuppakaddavai at the Wanni battle theater pounded identified LTTE positions and gathering points with heavy artillery and mortar fire yesterday (July 22) as troops confirmed killing at least 25 terrorists and injuring 17 others.

According to finalized military reports, 56 Division troops operating East of the A-9 trunk road at Navathkulama, attacked an LTTE movement killing a terrorists at around 11a.m.

Meanwhile, 8 terrorists were reported killed and 7 others injured during an ambush sprung by troops in general area Kuttimulai, at the combined Vavuniya-Mannar front, at 3.50p.m. 50 anti-personnel mines (AP) were also recovered during a subsequent search operations conducted in the area, military said.

Also, troops confirmed that 7 terrorists were killed, another 6 wounded in separate confrontations with LTTE in general areas Palaimoddai and Navvi on Tuesday. 4 soldiers also received injuries during the confrontations, military further said.

Another soldier also sustained injuries during a confrontation with LTTE in general area Murunkaiyadippuddai.

At the Welioya battlefront, troops killed 7 terrorists, injured 4 while ground troops believed that 24 terrorists were either killed or wounded in the clashes. According to military clashes between troops and LTTE were reported in general areas North of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa. 2 soldiers also laid their lives while 3 others received injuries in the confrontations, military said. Separately, troops engaged in search operations North of Kiriibbanwewa uncovered 41AP mines and 2 IEDs, military said.

At the Jaffna battlefront, in Muhamalai troops attacked an LTTE bunker defence with small arms fire killing 2 terrorists, according to reports. A soldier was also reported wounded in an AP mine explosion in the same area.