Sri Lanka Army's mission to liberate Wanni from terror clutches reached another important juncture yesterday (May 17) as troops reached Palamiddi junction, the Northern edge of the Madhu jungle. While troops reached Palampiddi without facing much resistance from the terrorists, army continued its multi frontal offensives causing heavy damages to the terrorists.

On the Vavuniya front alone, defence sources claimed 2 terrorists were killed and another wounded in yesterday' clashes.

At Mundumurippu, troops attacked a group of terrorists in the morning hours and claimed 2 terrorists were killed and at least 2 others wounded. However, monitored radio transmissions later confirmed that only one terrorist was killed and another wounded in this confrontation. Troops suffered no casualties.

In a similar incident at Palamodai later in the same day morning, it was reported through radio transmissions one terrorist was killed.

A solider suffered injuries due to anti personnel (AP) mine explosion, whilst engaged in clearing operations in the Navvi area in the afternoon. The injured was admitted to the military hospital Anuradhapura.

On the Mannar front, troops engaged terror targets in the Alankulam, Koddaikulam, Veddayamurippu, Parayakulam, and Nedunkandai with ground assaults and indirect fire throughout the day.

At Alankulama , troops attacked terror bunkers using heavy weapons and destroyed them last night . Ground troops claimed 3 terrorists were killed or wounded in this attack. Also, an Army sniper deployed in the same area claimed to have shot one terrorist in the evening.

In the general area Koddaikulam troops engaged several LTTE bunkers using armour tanks and destroyed them in the morning hours. According to the ground sources, 10-15 terrorists were either killed or wounded in this incident. In a separate incident in the same area, troops engaged small arms fire at a group of terrorists and one terrorist was killed.

At Veddayamurippu, a sniper reported to have gunned down one terrorist in the evening hours. Also, 2 soldiers suffered injuries due to AP mine explosion in the same general area. At Parayakulam, another sniper target was confirmed in the same day evening.

On the Welioya front , daylong fighting continued between army and LTTE in the North of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas yesterday.

In the North of Janakapura area, troops attacked a group of terrorist in the afternoon hours and claimed 4 terrorists were killed . In a separate attack took place later in the evening in the same area , troops destroy enemy trench defence and claimed at least 6 terrorists were killed or wounded. During this incident troops came under heavy terror indirect fire and 3 soldiers suffered injuries as a result.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in mine clearing operations in the area removed 88 AP mines and 7 improvised bombs for the day. One soldier suffered injuries due to an AP mine explosion.

In the North of Kiriibbanwewa area, troops attacked a terror observation post last afternoon and claimed 2 terrorists were either killed or wounded. Later, monitored radio transmissions confirmed that 2 terrorists were killed in this incident. During the subsequent search, troops found 300 ammo used for T-56 riffles along with other personal items. Later in the in the evening, troops confronted with a group of terrorists in the same general area and claimed 3 terrorists were either killed or wounded.

In the Jaffna theatre of battle troops continued to attack terror bunkers in the Muhamalai and Eluthumaduwal areas during the day. However, no terror casualty figures were obtained so far. Meanwhile, one soldier suffered gunshot injuries whilst deployed in the Muhamalai defence last morning and admitted to Palaly military hospital.