Air Force raids Tiger mortar position

Rafik Jalaldeen

Air Force MI-24 helicopters destroyed an LTTE mortar pad used to fire at advancing Security Forces 3.5 km Southwest of Thunukkai junction in Mullaitivu yesterday evening.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said on a close support mission assisting to the Security Forces advancing in Mullaitivu, Air Force MI-24 fighter helicopters carried out an air raid targeting the LTTE mortar position at around 3.45 p.m.

"The Tiger cadres were firing heavy mortars continuously to obstruct the Security Forces advancing in Mullaitivu. The Air Force fighters destroyed the LTTE mortar pad and neutralized their fire," he added.

He said the LTTE also fired at the MI-24s and the pilots diverting the ground fire successfully destroyed the enemy target and landed safely without any damage, Wing Commander Nanayakkara told the Daily News.

The ground troops confirmed that following the air raid the LTTE mortar fire was neutralised and the mortar pad was destroyed, he added.