Victorious march continues; 18 terrorists killed in clashes in
Wanni and North
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'USAID' provided dry ration sacks to
war effected civilians are seen here used by the the LTTE to
conceal mortar pits - Vidathalthivu |
Multi pronged offensives at LTTE defences in the Wanni
and Jaffna continued yesterday (July 17) leading Sri Lankan armed forces
further closer to their final objective. According to the finalized
military reports received from Wanni and Jaffna battlefronts at least 18
terrorists were killed, 27 wounded and 22 more were either
killed or wounded. Also, 4 soldiers laid down their lives on the
battlefield, one reported missing and 9 others bore wounds during these
battles fought to liberate the motherland.
In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops launched
attacks at LTTE bunkers located in the Ponnar and Muhamalai areas in 4
separate occasions during the day. However, the exact details of terror
casualties of these incidents were not available. Meanwhile, a sniper
deployed in the Muhamalai forward defence line (FDL) confirmed shooting
down of one LTTE cadre last morning.
In the Wanni theatre of operations, victorious troops
of the Task Force 1 marched further northwards along the northwestern coast on
the Mannar-Vavuniya combined warfront and halted 3km south Iluppaikkaddavai. Separately, soldiers of the same force removed 21 anti
personnel (AP) mines while clearing Echchalarakkai area.
Meanwhile, troops of 57 division (Div) operating
at the central part of the Vavuniya- Mannar front continued to dominate South
of Tunukkai terror stronghold. During their march troops attacked a
group of LTTE cadres detected in the area last evening and claimed 9
terrorists were wounded while a soldier was reported missing. Later,
radio monitoring sources revealed 2 terrorists were killed in this
incident.
Separately, 57 Div troops operating in the
Pandiyankulam area confronted with a group of terrorists in the same
evening and claimed 2 terrorists killed and few others wounded. Troops
also, collected 2 bodies of slain LTTE cadres along with 2 T-56 weapons.
Later, radio monitoring sources confirmed that 3 LTTE cadres were
wounded while 2 reported missing in the incident.
A sniper deployed in the Oddankulama area claimed that
one terrorist was killed during the evening hours.
Meanwhile, troops of Task Force 2 operating in the
eastern flank of the Vavuniya- Mannar front continued their offensives
in the Palamoddai and Navvi areas along the day.
In the general area Palamoddai troops had 2 major
incidents in the morning and evening. Troops attacked a group of
terrorists last morning and claimed 2 terrorists were killed. During the
evening hours, troops attacked a terror bunker and claimed one terrorist
was either killed or wounded.
 Meanwhile, troops attacked and captured 8 LTTE bunkers
located in separate locations in the Navvi area during the course of the
day and claimed 2 terrorists were killed and 5 others were either killed
or wounded. Two soldiers were killed and 4 others suffered injuries due
to an IED (improvised explosive device) on the same day evening.
At Pillaiyanankulam , Army listening post came under
an attack during midnight. A soldier was killed in this incident.
Meanwhile, troops of 56 Div operating in the
Vedamakilam area confronted with a group of terrorists during the morning
hours and claimed 2 terrorists were killed.
On the Welioya front, troops of 59 Div continued their
offensive march through the Mullaittivu and had daylong clashes with the
terrorists in the North of Janakapura, North of Kiriibbanwewa,
Andankulama, Nittukkai, and Vellankulama areas.
In the North of Janakapura area, troops had 7 separate
confrontations with the terrorists. According to the details complied on ground
and technical sources, 3 terrorists were killed, 4 wounded and 6 others
were either killed or wounded. Also, troops destroyed 2 LTTE bunkers and
removed 3 IEDs.
In the North of Kiriibbanwewa area, troops attacked 3
LTTE bunkers at separate incidents and claimed one terrorist was killed,
3 others wounded and 7 more were either killed or wounded.
In the general area Anadankulama, troops had four
separate confrontations with the terrorists and claimed one terrorist
was killed, 5 others wounded and 3 more were either killed or wounded. Also, 2 soldiers suffered injuries
due to terror mortar fire in one of the
confrontations occurred last morning. Troops engaged in clearing
operations in the area removed 27 AP mines and 3 IEDs.
In the general area , Vellankulama, troops attacked an
LTTE bunker during evening hours and claimed one terrorist was killed
and 3 others wounded.
Meanwhile, in the general area Nittukkai, one soldier
was killed and 3 others suffered injuries in 2 separate IED explosions
occurred last morning.
Limited offensives are being continued. |
