Forces capture another Tiger defence line

Ranil Wijayapala

WANNI: Troops engaged in liberating the Wanni yesterday made a major breakthrough in the Mannar front by capturing the heavily fortified LTTE defence line on the Parappakandal-Andankulam road inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE.

A senior Military official told the Daily News that heavy fighting was reported yesterday as troops broke out from Uyilankulam and advanced 500 metres ahead of the Uyilankulam defences to capture the heavily fortified LTTE defences on the Parappakandal-Andankulam road.

"A fierce battle which continued for hours yesterday morning ended with troops capturing the 800 metre LTTE defence line on the Parappakandal-Andankulam road after advancing 500 metres ahead of our defences," the official added.

According to sources more than 10 Tiger cadres were killed and 10 wounded in the battle. "Troops engaged in clearing operations recovered the bodies of two senior Tiger cadres along with four weapons," the official added.

Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions also confirmed that a large number of their cadres were reported missing after the battle with Task Force -I troops in Mannar.

This heavily fortified LTTE defence line with nearly five metre earth mounds was constructed taking the cover of pilgrims proceeding towards the annual feast in Madhu through the Uyilankulam entry-exit point.

Troops in the Mannar front on December 22 captured the Uyilankulam entry exit point after advancing from the last point dominated by the troops at the entry-exit point in Uyilankulam.

Meanwhile, troops in Palakkuli also advanced towards the Adampan tank capturing more than a 200 metre stretch North East of the southern bund of the Adampan tank.

Heavy fighting was reported in Periyapandrichchan on the Vavuniya front also during the weekend with troops capturing Tiger bunkers killing more than 20 Tigers. Two Tiger bodies were also recovered from Periyapandrichchan on Saturday.