Forces capture Tigers’ strategic 54 Base

Tiger bodies, weapons recovered as Wanni thrust continues:

Rafik JALALDEEN

VAVUNIYA: Security Forces on the Vavuniya front captured the LTTE’s strategic 54 Base (five four) and recovered 25 LTTE bodies and a cache of weapons yesterday, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The LTTE faced heavy defeat and damage retreating from their FDLs in Vavuniya battle ground as the Security Forces pushed the Tigers from their defence lines, capturing the LTTE 54 base and killing over 24 LTTE cadres and injuring many others, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

The base was captured after a fierce fight that lasted since Thursday evening in Chiraddikulam, Mullaithivu.

The Army’s 57 Division advancing on the Vavuniya front marched forward attacking the LTTE fortified defence lines ahead of the Security Forces FDLs since Thursday evening.

This LTTE strategic base called 54 was used by the Charles Anthony Brigade.

A large number of LTTE cadres were killed and many others injured and a cache of arms were recovered.

“The Security Forces consolidating their positions at the newly established defence launched a search operations and recovered 25 LTTE bodies along with 16 T56 assault riffles, a 12.7 mm anti aircraft machine gun, two RPG and a light machine gun,” he added.

Meanwhile, Air Force fighter jets carried out air raids targeting the LTTE training facility and special unit headquarters in Pirapavettuwan, Oddusuddan early morning yesterday.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said in a fresh air attack the Air Force fighters pounded the LTTE training installations and a special unit HQ at around 6.10 a.m.

“The target was located 10 km north of Oddusuddan and the air raids were successful,” he added. The air attack was precise and accurate and was launched following ground intelligence and air surveillance.