Army captures LTTE bunker defence; 9 bunkers destroyed

Troops operating under Task Force 1 in the Mannar- Vavuniya combined battlefront attacked an LTTE bunker defence last evening (July 3) causing heavy casualties to the terrorists.

According to the defence sources at the front, army infantrymen and elites stormed the terror bunker defence located in the area West of Periyamadhu around 1pm with the close air support of air force MI 24 helicopters. The Soldiers continued fighting with the terrorists for about 5 hours and declared the area captured around 6 pm in the evening.

Ground troops claimed 9 LTTE bunkers were destroyed. Troops are holding 7 LTTE bunkers at present, said the sources.

According to the monitored radio transmissions among the LTTE units, 17 LTTE cadres were killed and more than 25 others were wounded in this incident. However, ground troops on their observations, claimed that the actual enemy deaths and casualties should be higher than the above number.

Two soldiers were killed, 2 reported missing and 10 others suffered injuries during this battle. Clearing operations are in progress.

Meanwhile, monitored radio transmission today revealed that 7 LTTE cadres were killed during the air raid carried out by air force MI 24 helicopters last evening. The raid was carried out targeting a truck carrying LTTE terrorists detected in the South of Vedithalthivu area.