58 Div troops liberate Visuamadu Town; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu
[Updated]
 Troops
of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE
have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28).
According to latest reports received, troops have now gained total
control over the Visuamadu town, following initial search and clearing
operations conducted in the area, security sources said.
LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal
military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists
were killed and many injured during the fighting.
According to military sources, troops have also gained
control over a 10km stretch of the road, running North of Visuamadu via
Puliyampokkanai towards Chundikkulama. Troops are now engaged in mopping
up the remaining LTTE resistances South of Visuamadu and Piramanthal
kulama. LTTE terrorists unable to withstand the military onslaught have
further fled towards the declared safer zones at Teravilkulam and
Udayarkattukulama, military sources said. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists
have continued firing heavy artillery towards security forces from the
declared civilian safety region. "This is an exhibit of utmost contempt
to norms of humanity and the lives of the thousands entrapped", a
military official said. Security forces have been resilient on securing
the safety of the civilians held by LTTE, despite continuous
provocations made by the outfit for a military retaliation towards the
safe zone, the official further said.
According to available civilian and military ground
information, terrorists are concentrating arsenal and fighting units
among the civilians in light for what defence observe identify to
trigger a 'last minute civilian tragedy.' Thousands of innocent Tamil
civilians are held at gunpoint under unprecedented hardships by the LTTE
at these safe regions until its senior ranks sketch out an escape route,
defence observes further stated.
Meanwhile, during subsequent search operations
conducted troops have also found a bus and a recovery vehicle which is
believed used to trail artillery guns, security sources said.
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