Troops capture 1 Km of LTTE defence line in Adampan

Ranil Wijayapala

Colombo: Marking another milestone in the battle on the Mannar front troops on Wednesday evening captured a one kilometre stretch of the main defence line of the LTTE covering the Mannar 'Rice Bowl' as they reached the edge of the 'Rice Bowl' north of Adampan, military sources said yesterday.

According to Military sources troops operating in the North of Adampan captured this one kilometre stretch of a strongly built defence line after a fierce battle with the LTTE killing at least 30 of them.

"Th h s was the first time the troops in Mannar front captured a stretch of LTTE main defence line stretching from Pappamoddai in the north of Manthai from the seaside towards Parappakadaththan in the north of Giant Tank for more than 11 Kilometres covering the Mannar 'Rice Bowl'," a senior military official told the Daily News.

The LTTE constructed this defence line with a six to eight feet high earth bund, a water canal and a trench line forcibly using the civilians living in the uncleared areas a few months back to face the advancing troops.

"This is a clear example how the LTTE exploits the labour of the civilians entrapped in uncleared areas to construct these bunker lines and trenches on this solid land," a `military official added.

The heavily fortified defence line with LTTE bunkers came under heavy attack of the ground troops for more than three days in their bid to capture this one kilo metres stretch. According to Security Forces nearly 30 Tiger cadres have been confirmed killed during the three-day battle.

Troops are continuing in their operations to fully capture this strongly built defence line while engaging in search and clear operations.