Puthukuduyiruppu hospital captured

Tigers remove equipment

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Security Forces engaged in the last phase of the Vanni battle had taken control of Puthukuduyiruppu hospital which the Tigers had used as a hideout before they fled, unable to resist the advancing troops.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanaya-kkara said troops of the 53 division and Task Force VIII continuing their offensive in the Puthukuduyiruppu front have overrun LTTE defence lines amidst stiff resistance put on by the Tigers and captured the Puthukuduyiruppu hospital. The Puthukudu- yiruppu hospital which was occupied by the LTTE was empty when troops took control.

“The LTTE terrorists have removed hospital equipment before fleeing the area,” he added.

The LTTE cadres used the Puthukuduyiruppu hospital premises as a major hideout and clinic for their wounded cadres since the fall of Mullaitivu town on January 25.

Troops are conducting search operations in the area.

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LTTE aircraft spare parts recovered

Security Forces poised to liberate the Vanni and during a search operation recovered LTTE aircraft spare parts and accessories on Wednesday in Ampalavanpokkani- north of Mullaitivu.

The Army 18 Gajaba Regiment Infantry of the 58 division engaged in mopping up operations in the recently captured area unearthed LTTE aircraft spare parts and other accessories buried and concealed inside oil barrels.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops conducting search operations found seven aircraft tyres, six boxes of start plugs, 12 litres of aircraft fuel, three safety goggles,

eight runway night lights, eight white runway lights, 15 taxiway lights, a runway light panel, a fire extinguisher, two oxygen cylinders, six oxygen masks, 30 halogen lights, two landing gears, three tins of Euro grease, three batteries and one air filter.

According to defence sources the latest discovery of aircraft spare parts proves that the LTTE was busy experimenting with the manufacture of a light aircraft in the area.

Most of those parts have been imported and it was believed that the Tigers kept them safely for eventual use.