Troops surround Tiger leaders

RANIL WIJAYAPALA

*Attempts to breach defences foiled

*Over 200 Tigers killed in battle

More than 50 Tiger cadres were reportedly killed and scores of others injured as 58 Division troops foiled a desperate LTTE attempt to breach the Security Forces defences in Ampalavanpokkanai in the North of Puthukudiyiruppu, once troops advanced 400 metres closer to the Puthumattalan safe zone, military sources told the Daily News yesterday.

Military sources confirmed that fierce battles erupted in Ampalavanpokkanai in the South of Chalai and North of Puthukudiyiruppu as desperate Tiger cadres now entrapped in less than 40 square kilo metres made yet another attempt to breach the Security Forces defences for the fourth consecutive day yesterday.

“Top rung Tiger leaders Swarnam and Lawrence who were physically present to lead the Black Tiger cadres to breach the Security Forces defences in Ampalavanpokkanai were reportedly entrapped along with 50 other Tiger cadres in the ensuing battle and were making desperate attempts to escape from the area since yesterday morning as Security Forces effectively surrounded them in the area from all fronts”, sources added.

Reinforcements were rushed to cordon off the area with the information that the LTTE was making desperate attempts to rescue these top rung leaders.

The bodies of Tiger cadres were seen scattered in the area and search operations will soon be conducted in the area to ascertain the number of Tiger cadres killed in the battle.

Well trained cadres from the Radha and Charles Anthony brigades providing personnel security for the top level Tiger leaders made their first attempt to breach the Security Forces defences in the wee hours of Thursday and the attempt was effectively foiled by the 58 Division troops and the Commando troops killing more than 60 Tiger cadres.

The 58 Division troops foiled their second and third attempts even using explosive laden trucks driven by suicide cadres on Friday and Saturday too killing more than 100 Tiger cadres in that battle front.

Troops of the 58 Division were able to foil four massive counter attacks by the LTTE killing more than 150 Tiger cadres since the early hours of Thursday.

According to military officials the LTTE is making these desperate attempts as they are aware that they cannot escape from the certain defeat looming around them.