Troops regain Palampiddy

Mannar: Troops on Saturday afternoon regained Palampiddy, a major LTTE stronghold in Mannar.

The Army faced severe resistance by the terrorists as they reached Palampiddy, about 8 km north of Madhu, which the Forces captured recently.

Palampiddy is strategically important as it connects Vidattaltivu in northwest, Madhu in south, Mullikumam in southeast and Nedunkal in northeast.

"This will cripple administrative work and supplies to the terrorists," military sources said.

Troops have so far recovered 13 LTTE dead bodies, 11 T-56 weapons, one MPMG (Multi Purpose Machine Gun) and four communication sets from the area.

Troops after consolidating their positions in and around Palampiddy are now conducting search and clear operations.

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships launched a close air support mission for advancing troops on the Mannar front yesterday morning targeting a gathering of LTTE cadres in the Andankulama area. Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Andrew Wjesooriya told that the targeted location was the same one targeted in Saturday's mission.

He said that the air sorties were carried out around 11.50 am as the Army reported a fresh enemy gathering at the tactical operation centre located 3km northwards from the Army's present defence line.

The exact damage to the terrorists has to be ascertained, he added. Meanwhile, troops engaged in multi-pronged offensive operation in Wanni theatre inflicted considerable damages to the enemy in clashes occurred in Vavuniya and Welioya fronts yesterday, May 16. On Vavuniya front, troops attacked a group of LTTE terrorists after observing their movements. Four LTTE cadres were killed in Navathkulam.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in a clearing operation in general area Periyamadu uncovered seven bodies of slain LTTE cadres who were killed in fighting erupted on Thursday.

Six female bodies and one male body were among them. In addition, five T-56 weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) and one T-81 weapon were also among the items found.