25.11.2008

Victorious Sri Lanka Army soldiers are in a mood to take any challenge that comes in their way in the battlefield, says our special correspondent in Wanni. The Northeast Monsoon has settled down with torrential rains, flooded roads and bogy grounds but the soldiers are moving forward fighting the terrorists and the vile weather with equal strength.

After defeating the massive LTTE counter offensive on Sunday (Nov 23), troops of Army 57 Division (57 Div) and Task Force 1 (TF 1) are further consolidating their positions in the Kilinochchi outskirts.

"Soldiers are busy with strengthening the supply backbone for troops in the forward areas with loads of food, drinking water and medicine being transported there," he said.

"The men are well focused to their mission; 'Kilinochchi we are coming' is the word that goes around here"

Meanwhile intercepted radio transmissions have revealed that a senior terrorist leader called Stanley was killed during recent battle. The outfit has given its self-styled "Lieutenant Colonel" rank to the slain terrorist chief.

Troops continued to engage artillery and mortars at LTTE positions in Kilinochchi throughout yesterday (Nov 24) while the forward deployed forces were getting ready for their next move.

According to our correspondent, Army forward observers have revealed that LTTE was also busy with building more earth bunds zigzagging in Kilinochchi built up.

"This is what the terrorists have been doing throughout this battle, building battlefield fortification that they cannot defend for long," our correspondent said.

"Troops await the next move , 'Kilinochchi we are coming' is their motto"