Sri Lankan soldiers have boxed the remaining LTTE cadres into a 400m x 600m land stretch in the Vellaimullaivaikkal area reveal the latest battlefield reports. According to the sources, troops have already rescued all the civilians held at hostage by the terrorists and taken them to safer areas. Among the rescued were seven service personnel including four sailors and three soldiers held as prisoners of war by the terrorists.
Military spokesperson Udaya Nanayakkara said that over 50,000 civilians have been rescued from the LTTE hold during last 72 hours. Out of the above figure over 36,000 hostages have been rescued during last 24 hours, he added.
Meanwhile, LTTE launched an unsuccessful attack at the Army defence line on the eastern bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon early this morning (May 17). The terrorists using boats crossed the lagoon around 1.30 AM and attacked the Army first line of defence. Troops crushed the LTTE assault after hours of fierce fighting causing heavy damages to the terrorists.
A senior defence official called the attack a desperate bid by the terrorists to save their leaders.
“Their aim was to establish a foothold on the eastern bank of the lagoon. If they were successful they would try to transfer their most senior leaders there and try their luck in the jungles”, he said.
He further revealed that LTTE has lost their last remaining fighting cadre in this abortive attack. “The attack was completely crushed by the well prepared soldiers. It is just a basic military tactic to show an escape route for the surrounded enemy as bait and crush them when they take it”, he added.
Troops have so far have collected about 70 bodies of LTTE cadres following the attack. According to available information, two senior LTTE leaders identified as Muttappan and Pradeep were also killed during the confrontation.
Meanwhile, troops of 53, 58 and 59 Divisions engaged in daylong clashes with the terrorists yesterday (May 16).
Troops of 5 Gemunu Watch (5 GW) and 6 Gajaba Regiment (6 GR) operating under 53 Division carried out mop up operations along the A-35 in the Karayamullaivaikkal area causing heavy damages to the terrorists. Troops during the subsequent search operations found one body of LTTE cadre, 18 T-56 rifles, 11 radio communication sets, one light machine gun (LMG) and one outboard motor.
Separately, infantrymen of 9 GW and 8 GR operating under 58 Divisions battled the remaining terror strongholds in the Vellamullivaikkal area. Troops during the searches found a large amount weapons including three damaged 152mm heavy artillery guns. Among the other items found were, 128 T-56 weapons, 17 12.7 mm anti air machine guns, one RCL gun, two paddle guns, four 40mm grenade launchers, two multi purpose machine guns (MPMG), three radio communications sets, four micro pistols, 285 hand grenades, two barrels of 60mm mortar guns, two barrels of 120mm mortar guns, a large stock of live ammunition, oxygen tanks and Diving kits. Intercepted LTTE radio communications revealed that 31 terrorists were killed and 15 wounded during the clashes.
Infantrymen of 12 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (12 SLLI) and 11 GW operating under the 59 Division had confrontations with the terrorists in the Sarawaruthoddam area in Mullaittivu during daytime yesterday. Troops collected 3 bodies of LTTE cadres along with 18 T-56, three 40mm grenade launchers, one MPMG, five radio communication sets, one RPG launcher, and one 12.7mm machine gun during search operations. Also, troops found several heavy vehicles abandoned by the terrorists.
Ministry of Defence