Wanni liberation continues; LTTE loosing their territory further

Military reports received from Northern battlefronts indicate that LTTE received heavy beatings during the clashes continued along the Wanni and Jaffna Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) yesterday (Mar 17). In the Wanni theatre of battle, clashes continued on the Vavuniya, Mannar, and Welioya battlefronts throughout the day, report further added.

On Vavuniya front, several confrontations took place in general area Kallikulam when the troops advancing further towards LTTE territory. Seven LTTE terrorists were killed in two separate confrontations, one in morning hours and another in evening, when the troops launched an attack targeting LTTE bunker defences, sources further said.

Meanwhile, when the troops cleared newly captured LTTE bunkers in Pandivirichchan uncovered 25 anti personnel mines and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) last evening. Separately, 106 anti personnel mines, one Arul bomb and one hand grenade uncovered from the Sulainamaruthamadu area around 12.40 p.m yesterday.On the Mannar front, an army soldier suffered injuries in a clash sparked in general area Adampan last night.

On the Welioya front, troops advancing towards the LTTE strongholds in Mulaithiuvu district had several confrontations in general areas of Kokkutuduvai, Kadduttaddamalai and Andankulama during the course of the day. By intercepting LTTE transmission, it is confirmed that 2 LTTE cadres were killed while another 3 were wounded in a confrontation took place in general area Kokkutuduvai in morning hours. Meanwhile, 4 more LTTE terrorists were killed or wounded when the troops launched artillery and mortar fire at LTTE strong point observed in the same area. In Kadduttaddamalai, 2 LTTE cadres were injured in a confrontation took place at 11.05 a.m. and one T-56 weapon was uncovered from the same area in a subsequent search operation. Meanwhile, 2 army soldiers suffered injuries due to an explosion of booby trap in the same area. Separately, 2 more soldiers received injuries due to an explosion of booby trap in general area Andankulam, the report further said. Troops have unearthed 160 anti-personnel mines while conducting mine-clearing operation in recently liberated Mankindamalai area, report further said.In Jaffna theatre of battle, 2 soldiers have made their supreme sacrifice while 4 others were injured due to two separate confrontations took place in Mahamalai area. Meanwhile, 65 anti-personnel mines have been unearthed by the troops from the same area, the report further stated.