Army captures LTTE bunker lines in Panichhankerni

Ranil Wijayapala

VAKARAI: Security Forces yesterday took full control over the LTTE first bunker line in Panichhankerni and the two villages of Ichchalampattu and Uppural after advancing towards Vakarai from two sides in a move to foil major LTTE attack on Security Forces.

More than 50 LTTE cadres were believed to be killed in the two confrontations in the North of Verugal and South of Vakarai and three mortar positions of the LTTE were completely destroyed in the confrontations. One soldier was killed and 15 were injured.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said Security Forces from north of Vakarai on receipt of information about a large number of LTTE cadres advanced towards Verugal and launched an attack on the LTTE after moving toward Verugal.

"The Army made an attack on the gathering which made them flee the location and captured and took full control of Ichchalampattu and Uppural villages," Brigadier Samarasinghe added.

Kfir fighter jets of the Sri Lanka Air Force too engaged a strategic LTTE location in Verugal in North of Vakarai yesterday around 9 a.m.

It was assessed through communication that Tigers had massed cadres there with the intention of attacking Security Forces detachments north of Verugal.

More than 20 LTTE cadres were believed to be killed in the confrontation in Ichchalamapattu and Uppural.

The Security Forces in the south of Vakarai also repulsed a major LTTE attack on troops in Panichchankerni capturing the LTTE FDL at Panichchankerni, killing more than 30 LTTE cadres, the Brigadier added.

"Currently, the troops are positioned one kilometre away from the Panichchankerni bridge," the Brigadier added.

"In this confrontation it has been confirmed that, a large number of terrorists were dead and wounded. More than 30 dead bodies of LTTE terrorists are lying in the Panichchankerni and Kajuwatta area," the Brigadier added.

Heavy fighting was reported in the south of Vakarai last afternoon as Security Forces were consolidating their positions in the newly captured areas.