11/11/2007

LTTE terrorists continue to suffer heavy losses as Sri Lankan security forces are effectively holding out against terror attacks at Wanni Forward Defence Line (FDL), said the defence sources. During last 24 hours, over 30 terrorists were killed and a large number of others injured in sporadic clashes erupted between SL Army and LTTE along the Vavuniya - Mannar fronts. In addition, one Army officer was killed and five soldiers were injured in these incidents, the sources added.

In the general area Thampanai in the Vavuniya front, heavy clashes erupted between Army and LTTE, as the soldiers confronted with a terrorists' advance towards own FDL yesterday (November 10). During the clashes that continued from morning to evening, troops were able to hold down the enemy advance effectively causing heavy losses to LTTE.

Having foiled the enemy advance troops pursued the enemy to their own FDL and destroyed three LTTE bunkers. Ground sources said that the terrorists had given a heavy resistance using 122 mm artillery and heavy mortar fire. All the LTTE heavy weapons were positioned in the No Fire Zone of the Holly Madhu shrine taking cover from the religious place, the same sources added. One Army officer died in the battle while five soldiers sustained injuries. Both ground and technical sources have confirmed that at lest 20 terrorists were killed in this incident.

Separately, in the general area Vilathikulama, one LTTE cadre was killed and another injured in two separate incidents yesterday (November 10). Troops engaged artillery fire at an LTTE hideout around 9:30, last morning. Monitored LTTE radio transmission has confirmed that one female cadre was killed in this incident. The second incident took place around 6:30 in the same day evening, when ground troops engaged small arms fire at an observed LTTE movement. Ground troops claimed that one LTTE cadre suffered injuries in the incident.

At Umayaratuvarankulama, in the same Vavuniya front, troops engaged an LTTE bunker using small arms around 10:45 a.m (November 10). Ground troops have confirmed that two LTTE cadres were killed and three others were injured in the incident. Troops suffered no casualties.

Meanwhile, on the Mannar front, troops confronted with LTTE terrorists at four different locations killing 10 LTTE cadres during daytime yesterday (November 10).

At Chettikulama, troops continuing their preemptive operations attacked and destroyed an LTTE strong point around 10:45 a.m. (November 10). Monitored LTTE radio transmissions have revealed that 09 LTTE cadres were killed in this incident. Troops suffered no casualties.

At Veddayamurippu, troops intercepted a terrorist movement killing one LTTE cadre around 7:15 a.m. (November 10). In addition, ground sources have claimed that several LTTE cadres were injured in this incident. No harm was reported to own troops.

At Cheddiyarkattiadampan, troops ambushed a group of LTTE infiltrators around 11:30 a.m. (November 10). Ground troops have confirmed that two LTTE cadres were killed in this incident while no casualties to own.

Meanwhile, the Media Center for National Security (MCNS) said, an LTTE cadre was arrested by the police at Kurusa-handiya, Vavuniya last night (November 10). According to the MCNS reports, the police personnel manning the police post at Kurusa-handiya fired toward the suspect who had attempted to lob a hand grenade at them around 11:50 p.m. Later, police had arrested the suspect with injuries and the hand grenade. The suspect is presently undergoing treatment at Vavuniya General Hospital.

Also, at Pokkaravani in Vavuniya, troops uncovered a claymore mine at 12 noon yesterday (November 10). In Kokuvil, Jaffna Army acting on civilian information found one hand grenade inside an abandon building, the MCNS further said.

Courtesy - Sri Lanka Defence