The focus of the Wanni liberation operation turned to Mullaittivu front yesterday (Oct 8) as troops of 59 division crushed an LTTE counter offensive in the Andankulama area. According to finalized military reports 49 terrorists were killed and another 32 wounded in yesterday's fighting both at Wanni and Northern battle theaters.

Troops following a capture of a terror bunker line around 9 AM were attacked upon by the terrorists aimed at regaining their lost positions. After a pitched battle that lasted till 9PM, troops overpowered the terrorists and consolidated their positions. Eight soldiers laid down their lives and 54 others suffered injuries in the incident. Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions confirmed 15 terrorists were killed and 26 others suffered injuries.

In separate confrontation reported elsewhere in the Andankulama forest, troops attacked an LTTE bunker around 10.20 AM. The terrorists responded with heavy mortar and small arms fire. A soldier was killed and another injured in the retaliatory fire. Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions confirmed one terrorist was killed.

In the Gajabapura area on the same Mullaittivu front, a soldier was killed in a confrontation around 9.50 AM. Meanwhile, troops continued pushing LTTE away from the Eastern battlefront at Kilinochchi, reportedly killing 10 terrorists and injuring 4 others. According to Wanni military sources, the fighting was reported from Vedamakilam, Akkarayankulama and Irananmadu general areas. Also, a soldier has received injuries while engaged in clearing operations in Thunukkai, at 3.50p.m.

Separately, security forces mounted heavy attacks at LTTE at the Western Kilinochchi battlefront, gaining total control over 3sqkm of land area at Manniyakkulama. 21 LTTE terrorists were killed during the day's confrontation in the area, according to finalized military reports. 2 soldiers were also reported wounded in the confrontation.

At the Jaffna theater of battle, a terrorists was reported killed and another 2 wounded during limited confrontations between troops and LTTE at the Kilaly defences. A soldier has also received injuries due to an anti personnel mine(AP) explosion in the area. Meanwhile, troops have recovered 9 AP mines during search operations conducted in the same area, according to military.