The Kilinochchi battlefront remained active during last 24 hours as troops made further headway towards LTTE hiding areas in the south and the south-western areas of the Kilinochchi district.

Battlefield reports on yesterday's (Oct 23) incidents indicate continuing counter terrorist operations by the Army 57 division and the Task Force 1; the two main operational elements deployed on the Kilinochchi battlefront.

In the general area Akkarayankulam, troops of 572 brigade carried out limited operations in the north of Akkarayankulam tank bund during the day. Troops moved about 2 km north of the Manniyankulam - Therumurukandai road from the east of Akkaraynkuam tank bund and attacked LTTE terrorist groups hiding in the area. Troops claimed heavy damages to the terrorists. During search operations troops found one T-56 rifle. Also, troops moving north from the west of Akkarayankulam tank bund continued forward domination operations.

Meanwhile troops of the Army 573 and 574 brigades, flanking the Kilinochchi front from the east continued their thrust towards the Jaffna - Kandy road (A-9) during the day. The soldiers of the 573 brigade attacked a group of terrorists detected in the area 3 km West of Mankulam town around 6, last morning. Troops claimed heavy damages to the terrorist. Also, soldiers of the 574 brigade ambushed an LTTE armour plated tractor moving on the A-9 road in the Pannikkankualm area, around 4.45, in the evening.

Task Force 1 operating in the western half of the Kilinochchi front, continued their march at opposite directions down the Mannar - Pooneryn (A-32) road during the course of the day.

Troops of 582 brigade, heading northwards from Manniaynkulam, launched a limited offensive last morning to eliminate LTTE hiding places located north of the Manniyankulam - Therumurukandai road. During this operation troops were able clear about 4km stretch towards the west of Manniyankulam junction. Troops claimed heavy damages to the terrorists .

Meanwhile, troops of 583 brigade heading south, towards Nachchikudha continued destroying remaining LTTE footholds located east of the A-32 road. Troops attacked an LTTE bunker located 5 km west of the A-32 road in the Pallavarayankaddu area around 6.40 p.m. and claimed heavy damages to the terrorists. During subsequent search, troops found a body of a slain LTTE cadre. Also in the morning hours, terrorists made an unsuccessful attempt to breach the Army forward defence line (FDL) in Pallavarayankaddu. Troops crushed the terrorists' attempt and claimed heavy damages to the terrorists.

The Task Force 1 and 57 Division are continuing their mission.

The Editorial Board of defence.lk has decided to temporary suspend the reporting of all casualty figures in relation to the ongoing counter terrorist operation in Wanni. This is in consideration of the continuing advance of the security forces there and the need for operational security, whereby such reportage may impede the successful accomplishment of the mission.