Andankulam regained

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

MANNAR: Security Forces engaged in operation ‘Rice Bowl’ in the Mannar Front fully captured the Andankulam area and 13 square kilometres surrounding it yesterday flushing out Tiger cadres, a senior military official told the Daily News last night.

According to sources, the LTTE has lost almost all the bases they had within the Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’ area with the fall of Andankulam, the strongest Tiger position in the ‘Rice Bowl’ area, the official added.

“Tiger cadres operating there ran out of the area taking all belongings as troops took the area in a surprise move yesterday, ” he added.

Security Forces attached to the 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva on Thursday cut off the Andankulam area from the A-32 Mannar Pooneryn road from North after capturing two and half square kilometres between Chalmpan and Marattikannadi on the Andankulam Vedithalthivu road.

With the capture of Andankulam, troops are in the process of completing the task of liberating the entire Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’ area which is the most fertile land in the Mannar district, neglected without cultivations due to Tiger occupation.

Security Forces confirmed that more than 25 Tigers were killed during the confrontation that continued yesterday.

Two soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontation. Security Forces believe that Andankulam was the strongest Tiger base in the area as the LTTE had its main operation rooms in Andankulam.