Forces smash LTTE defences in North

30 Tigers killed, 35 bunkers destroyed:

Rafik Jalaldeen

The Security Forces in the North continuing with humanitarian operations marked another victory by capturing the Muhamalai, Nagarkovil and Kilali Forward Defence Lines of the LTTE destroying 35 Tiger bunkers and killing 30 LTTE cadres and injuring many others yesterday morning.

The 53 and 55 Brigade Divisions launching the operation to liberate the LTTE controlled areas in the Northern front launched a fierce attack on the LTTE manning FDL's in Muhamalai, Nagarkovil and Kilali.

"Around 12.45 am the Security Forces advanced from their FDL's in the Muhamalai area and smashed the LTTE bunkers in their first attack", Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Addressing the weekly security news briefing the Brigadier said troops stormed the LTTE's first bunker lines and engaged the Tiger cadres forcing them to flee the area.

"In the pre-emptive attack the Security Forces overran 35 Tiger bunkers, physically 20 bunkers were destroyed and around 20 LTTE cadres killed ", he told the media.

The LTTE withdrew to the second FDL's and the Security Forces advanced on this too forcing the LTTE to flee the area.

The Security Forces launched another attack on the LTTE’s second FDLs in Muhamalai and Nagarkovil with T55 tanks and destroyed 10 LTTE bunkers while killing 10 Tiger cadres.

“Vehicles of the fleeing Tiger cadres with their injured were also fired at by the Security Forces. LTTE communication intercepts confirmed that 10 LTTE cadres were killed in the skirmishes”, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

He pointed out that it was a great and remarkable victory achieved by the Security Forces in the Jaffna peninsula.

The Security Forces had returned to their lines after their victory.

In a subsequent search operation troops recovered a 60mm mortar bomb, an RPG and a large stock of ammunition. Seven soldiers sustained injuries were admitted to hospitals.

Air Force Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said the Air Force fighter jets pounded the LTTE Field Headquarters located 2km away from south of Muhamalai FDL’s yesterday around 8.20 am.

“The target was accurate and precise and the air raid was carried out following ground intelligence sources and air base surveillance. The pilots confirmed the target was hit and destroyed completely”, he added.

Brigadier Nanayakkara urged the public to be vigilant since the LTTE had planned to carry out attacks by disguising their men as ice cream vendors. “We have reliable information that the LTTE cadres are planning to carry out an attack posing off as ice cream vendors and we are asking the public to be extra vigilant,” he said.