LTTE beaten off as troops capture defence
positions, Jaffna; Over 100 terrorists killed
Over 100 LTTE including 15 senior terrorists and 43
soldiers were killed in fierce fighting that lasted for 11hours between
SLA and LTTE in the narrow and open land stretches at Muhamalai and
Kilaly - Jaffna yesterday (Apr 23), according to finalized reports
received from North.
According to the latest information, by intercepting
LTTE communication channels so far it is revealed that 81 terrorists were
killed. The names and numbers of the 81 terrorists killed have also been
transmitted through LTTE radio communication. Over 250
terrorists were suffered injuries due to the security forces effective
retaliation, sources added.
Further, Troops have
uncovered 6 LTTE bodies left behind as Army pushed and gained control
over the LTTE's first line of defence at Muhamalai and preparations are
made to hand over those bodies to the LTTE through the ICRC, military sources said. Five
T-56 weapons
and I-Com set were also found, sources added.
The LTTE fighting formations were driven some 500m
back from its initial positions as troops mounted heavy resistance
attacks, thwarting a pre-dawn LTTE offensive attempt.
55 and 53 divisions of Army entered into the battle
from Muhamalai and Kilaly areas as pitched fighting broke out with
soaring casualties from both sides.
"Soldiers have been able to capture the first line of
bunkers of the Tigers in Muhamalai. LTTE terrorists came and attacked
our forward line on Wednesday morning, we have retaliated and captured
about 400 to 500 metres of LTTE area in Muhamalai," said military
spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
It has been reported that 120 soldiers had suffered
injuries and those in serious conditions have been already air lifted to
Colombo. According to reports, the injured were admitted to the National
Hospital- Colombo, Sri Jayawardenapura and Eye Hospital. The Media
Centre for National Security said that, 33 soldiers have gone missing
following the confrontations and search operations been continued along
the tensed battle lines at Muhamalai and Kilaly.
15 senior LTTE cadres who have led the fighting units
during the offensive were killed as the brunts of terrorist casualties
were reported from North of A-9 at Muhamalai, according to the sources.
"Canter vehicles loaded with dead LTTE cadres and
casualties were rushing continuously towards Mullaittiuvu and
Kilinochchi districts since yesterday morning as civilians were
restricted of movement along the main routes for over 7 hours",
unverified sources close to LTTE were quoted as saying.
LTTE civil militia units and 'Police' stormed into
government hospitals at Kilinochchi and Mullaittiuvu; forcibly vacated
the area of civilian presence allocating space for the arriving LTTE
casualties. Accommodated patients were taken off from their beds and
forced to lie on cardboard sheets, while women and children were
cornered and others chased away from the sites, the sources were quoted
further saying.
Defence sources report that the LTTE offensive was
overall led by Theepan and Muhundan, two senior LTTE cadres , whilst
fighting formations at Muhamalai and Kilaly were reported respectively
led by 'Jerry', Kumunan and Kutti.
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Bodies of LTTE
terrorists killed in security forces retaliation |
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Weapons left
behind by the fleeing terrorists
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Related News >>>
LTTE offensive
attempt thrashed: 52 LTTE killed, many injured - Jaffna |
