Forces capture Sugandan Base

Rafik JALALDEEN

MULLAITIVU: Security Forces advancing in Mullaitivu captured Sugandan base, a part of the LTTE’s One-Four base complex scattered in the Mullaitivu jungle in Kiribbanwewa on Sunday afternoon.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Army’s 59 Division engaged in liberating the Weli Oya front advanced into the LTTE defence lines in the dense jungle of Kiribbanwewa and captured the Sugandan satellite base on Sunday without any casualties.

The satellite base was abandoned by LTTE cadres in the face of the Security Forces’ attack. “Facing a heavy attack by the Security Forces advancing towards the Northern front the LTTE had abandoned the Sugandan base and fled from the area before troops reached the area,” Brigadier Nanayakkara told the Daily News.

The Security Forces earlier captured Kamal base, Two-Two base and the Munagam base, the LTTE’s main logistics link between Tigers strongholds in the Wanni and the East across the Mullaitivu jungle and Michael base of the LTTE One-Four bases scattered in the Mullaitivu jungles.

“The Sugandan satellite base was a small base which was being used by the Tiger cadres for communications,” he added.

According to defence sources, an LTTE area leader identified as Veanden was injured during a failed offensive attempt targeting the Security Forces engaged in the operation north of Janakapura on Sunday.

“Five Tiger cadres were killed including a senior Tiger Maran,” defence sources said.

In a subsequent search operation troops recovered a body of an LTTE cadre along with an I-com set.

Meanwhile, the Security Forces smashed an LTTE bunker line and took control of a bunker and a mortar pad north of Kiribbanwewa.

“Three LTTE cadres were killed and many others injured in the incident,” defence sources said.