Forces advance in Muhamalai

Rafik Jalaldeen

JAFFNA: The Security Forces advanced 500 metres ahead of the Muhamalai Forward Defence Line yesterday killing 52 LTTE cadres and injuring many others in a pre-emptive attack in the Muhamalai and Kilaly frontier, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

A fierce fight erupted when the Security Forces of 53 and 55 Divisions launched a fresh offensive attack towards the LTTE FDLs in Muhamalai yesterday around 2.00 a.m. "The Security Forces prolonged the offensive attacks and put on stiff resistance towards the LTTE first bunker line ahead of troops Muhamalai FDLs," he told the Daily News.

The LTTE suffered a heavy defeat in the Muhamalai FDLs. "The Security Forces obstructed the LTTE attempts to come forward from their FDLs and successfully retaliated the Tiger attacks. The LTTE suffered a heavy defeat and lost 52 cadres and many others sustained injuries", he added.

Brigadier Nanayakkara said that the LTTE were pushed back 500 m from their initial position breaching the Tigers' first FDL in Muhamalai. The Security Forces are consolidating their positions from the captured LTTE first defence line.

Around 38 Security Forces were killed and 74 others injured in the confrontation. Meanwhile, two LTTE artillery bases, about 10-12 km ahead of the Muhamalai defence line were shelled by Air Force fighter jets yesterday afternoon around 1.30 p.m..

The Air Force conducted another aerial raid on an identified LTTE gathering point at Muhamalai the same day around 1.45 p.m.

About three hours after the second aerial attack, MI 24 fighter helicopters of the Air Force pounded several LTTE terrorist bunkers at the LTTE second defence line in Muhamalai.

Air Force confirmed that the attacks were successful.