[ad#200×200] Heavy fighting erupted between troops of the 59 Division and LTTE terrorists in general area West of the Nanthikandal lagoon in Mullaittivu, as ground troops confirmed inflicting serious damages to LTTE on Sunday (Feb 1).
The fighting ensued since early morning and lasted till 6p.m., after LTTE terrorists launched artillery attacks towards the Sri Lankan Army troops. Security forces swamped into the LTTE forward defences amidst intense counter fire and neutralized sections of the LTTE manned resistance positions, leaving many to flee in total disarray. Mop-up operations are continuing at the time of reporting in the area, as terrorists are now confined into a small patch of land cutoff with vital escape routes, security sources said.
Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists have reportedly continued firing heavy artillery barrages towards troops of the Task Force -2, in general area Udayarkattukulama what defence observers state ” a cheap attempt to provocate security forces, triggering retaliatory fire towards the declared civilian safe zone”. According to technical data and air surveillance images obtained LTTE terrorists have located artillery guns within the civilian safe zone and using the thousands entrapped as a human shield to prolong the multi-frontal military surge.
Separately, TF-2 troops launched a swift assault at an identified LTTE resistance position in general area Udayarkattukulama, capturing the bunker site, also killing at least 7 terrorists. 20 other terrorists were also reported killed during separate confrontations erupted in the area, on Sunday. Intense fighting was reported in general area Kuravilkulama, between troops and LTTE terrorists with ground troops confirming killing 8 terrorists and injuring 9 others, yesterday.
58 Division troops have also pushed into LTTE resistance positions located North of Visuamadu area, reportedly killing over 11 terrorists and injuring 8 others in the hours long confrontations.
Ministry of Defence