Army destroys LTTE artillery gun

Rafik Jalaldeen

VAVUNIYA: An LTTE artillery gun was destroyed by the security forces whilst inflicting heavy casualties on the Tigers on Monday when troops sucessfully repulsed an attack during a cordon and search operation following fierce fighting on Saturday in Vavuniya.

According to Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe a group of Tiger cadres launched artillery and mortars at the Security Forces conducting search operations in Mullikulam, Kalmadu, Pampemadu and Vilattikulam areas in Vavuniya yesterday.

“The Security Forces retaliated the attacks successfully with artillery and mortars destroying an LTTE artillery gun and causing heavy casualties on the enemy”, the Brigadier added.

Brigadier Samarasinghe said LTTE communication intercepts confirmed that one of the three LTTE artillery guns were destroyed.

Fierce fighting erupted between the Security Forces and the LTTE at the Vavuniya FDL on Saturday around 9.00 p.m. The fighting lasted till Sunday. A group of Tiger cadres fired artillery and mortars indiscriminately at the Security Forces.

During the confrontation over 52 LTTE cadres were killed and many others injured. Fleeing Tiger cadres in the face of retaliatory attack abandoned hauls of arms and weapons.

Meanwhile, the Security Forces successfully repulsed an LTTE artillery attack targeting troops at the Kokkuthuduwai FDL’s in Weli Oya on Monday evening.