Sri Lanka army infantrymen battling against terrorists on the Mannar front in the Wanni theatre of operations, captured Adampan tank area this evening (May 8), defence sources said. According to the sources, Army liberated about 2 square kilometers area in the South of Adampan town, after hours long fighting since this morning. The newly liberated area lies between the Neelachcheana road and the dam of the Adampan tank, sources further said.

Army launched the offensive around 4 am, attacking fortified LTTE bunker defences in the area. The soldiers braved against dens minefields and booby traps and captured the bunkers after few hours of fighting. By 4 pm, ground troops claimed that 8 LTTE bunkers including a trench line were destroyed.

According to ground sources 9 LTTE cadres were killed and 6 others suffered injuries in this incident. The technical sources have reported the same figures . Also, one soldier was killed and five others suffered injuries due to explosions of anti personnel (AP) mines and trapped mines. Troops are consolidating their defence at present, the sources said.

Separately, troops attacked terror defences in the Kaddupulan area on the same Mannar front and destroyed an LTTE bunker stretch about 200m in length in clashes lasted from 5.30 am to 8 am. Ground troops have confirmed that 6 terrorists were killed and 5 others injured in this incident. During the subsequent search, troops have recovered 500 ammo used for MPMG machine guns, 44 AP mines and 3 booby traps. Own troops suffered no damages, the sources added.

Reports received so far, from the Mannar front indicate 5 sniper targets have been taken in the daytime today. The Snipers deployed in Alankulama confirmed killing of 2 LTTE cadres, while others deployed in Adampan, Veppankulama and Chettukulama reported to have killed the rest.

Wanni liberation in progress