Troops take Nedunkerni

Division 57 repulse LTTE counter offensive:

Rasika Somarathna

The strategically important town of Nedunkerni, an LTTE stronghold in the Mullaitivu district was liberated by troops of the Task Force four of the Sri Lanka Army yesterday, Military spokesman Brigadier, Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The Task Force four, had taken full control of the area which lies 19 Km, northeast of Puliyankulam, following a successful offensive launched on Saturday morning, Brigadier Nanayakkara added. The Nedunkerni area was once a Command hub of the LTTE and was used to direct operations in the Welioya region, the 1-4 base and the surrounding satellite camps in the Jungle.

With the capture of Nedunkerni the total area of operations including South of Mankulam, South West of Kumulamunai, West of Gajabapura and North of Padaviya and Omanthei has come under Forces control..

According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, Nedunkerni was considered as a key administrative hub by the LTTE with three main roads leading to Puliyankulam, Oddusudan and Mullaitivu

Pitched battles in Kilinochchi front interlinking each other in the town of Nedunkerni.

Meanwhile pitched battles were reported in the Kilinochchi front with troops inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE terrorists.

Defence sources said that troops of the Army’s 57 Division had successfully thwarted an LTTE counter offensive launched North of the Iranamadu area.

In the North of Akkarayankulam area too,

Air Force raids LTTE targets heavy clashes were reported with troops inflicting heavy damages to Tigers.

Meanwhile, troops of the Army Task Force three killed two terrorists and injured four others, North of the Ampakamam area, defence sources said.Around 11.30 a.m yesterday, MI-24 attack helicopters of the Air Force carried out a successful raid targeting an LTTE gathering, northeast of Puthikudirippu, Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said. He further added that radio interception of the LTTE had indicated heavy casualties.