Army reach Vishuamadu

Scores of LTTE terrorists killed:

Chaminda PERERA

Scores of LTTE terrorists were killed and many more injured when the troops of 58 Division operating from the south of A35 road reached Vishuamadu junction yesterday amidst stiff resistance by the LTTE.

According to Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, the capture of Vishuamadu junction dealt a severe blow to the LTTE terrorists who have now confined to a territory of 300 square kilometres.

The troops have also gained control of a stretch of 10 kilometers along the road leading to Chundikkulama via Puliyampokkanai. The terrorists have started escaping towards the safer zones at Teravilkulam and Udayakattukulam after troops started wiping out remaining LTTE resistances south of Vishuamadu and Piramanthal kulama.

Brigadier Nanayakkara said the LTTE terrority is now surrounded by Task Force 04 from Pudukudurippu west and south, Task force 2 from Pudukudurippu west and Udayarkattu and Task force 3 from Vishuamadu and Thalmadu.

In addition, Troops of 57, 58, 55, are also operating in Vishvamadu, area south of A35 road and Chundikulam. He said over 13,000 LTTE cadres have been killed since the humanitarian operation started in July 2006 from Mavil Aru.

“3700 military personnel have also laid down their lives for the country for the past three years. For the last two months over 1500 hardcore LTTE cadres were killed and 150 soldiers sacrified their lives. The village near the Kalmadukulam tank was completely under water and their houses and properties were largely damaged, when the tank bund was breeched by the LTTE Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

He said the military personnel were not affected in any way but their advance delayed for few hours. It is reported that the LTTE, without utter respect for civilians lives and well established military and ethical norms, is engaged in firing artillery targeting the Forces from the no war zone . The Security Forces have exercised utmost forbearance in face of constant provocations by the LTTE in form of intermittent artillery fire targeting them and Forces remain committed to ensure civilians safety in the no war zone declared by the government.

Meanwhile, during subsequent search operations troops have also found a bus and a recovery vehicle which is believed to have used to trail artillery guns, security sources said.