Another 4 km stretch of LTTE stronghold captured: Lankan Army By T V Sriram

Colombo, Oct 24 (PTI) Continuing the momentum of its
offensive, Sri Lankan troops Friday captured another 4 kms
stretch closing on to the Tiger stronghold of Kilinochchi as
it also beat back a group of insurgents who tried to
infiltrate one of its defence lines.

As the battlefront remained active, an army spokesman
said heavy losses to the L.T.T.E. fighters have been caused
during the past 24 hours with a number of bunkers captured or
destroyed.

He said security forces had cleared about 4km stretch
towards the west of Manniyankulam junction in the sector while
beating back attempts to infiltrate in the Pallavarankaddu
defence lines.

The officials said army Thursday evening captured a
L.T.T.E. strong point named "Aneel" along with some bunkers in
Gajabapura area in Northern Mullaitivu, which fell to
government forces Thursday.

In its advance army had to diffuse many improvised
explosive devices and mines. "Troops continue conducting
search operations and consolidating further in the area," the
Media Centre for National Security said.

Meanwhile, Battlefield reports said that the Army 57
division and the Task Force No 1, which are spearheading the
assault on Kilinochchi maintained progress.

Troops moved about 2 km north of the Manniyankulam,
Therumurukandai road from the east of Akkaraynkuam tank bund
and attacked L.T.T.E. groups hiding in the area, the military
said.

"Troops claimed heavy damages to the L.T.T.E. and during
search operations found one T-56 rifle and some arms," it
said.

The Defence Ministry sources said that security forces
were advancing deeper into the territory held by Tamil Tigers
and had captured several strongholds of the guerrillas.

Meanwhile troops of the Army 573 and 574 brigades,
flanking the Kilinochchi front from east continued their
thrust towards Jaffna Thursday.

Troops of 582 brigade, heading northwards from
Manniyankulam, launched a limited offensive Thursday morning
to eliminate L.T.T.E. hiding places located north of the
Manniyankulam-Therumurukandai road, the ministry said.

However, troops of 583 brigade heading south, towards
Nachchikudha in Kilinochchi continued destroying remaining
L.T.T.E. footholds located east of the A-32 road, the army
said.

The Defence Ministry also said troops attacked an
L.T.T.E. bunker located 5 km west of the A-32 road in the
Pallavarayankaddu area in the region last morning and that
heavy damages to the L.T.T.E. was reported.

During subsequent search, troops found a body of a slain
L.T.T.E. cadre, it said.

L.T.T.E. militants also suffered heavy damages in an
attack launched by the troops in the Mandimuruppu area in
Vavuniya Thursday, Media Centre for National Security
(M.C.N.S.) said.

In Mullaittivu, troops and L.T.T.E. were involved in
confrontations in Maankulam, Andankulam and Otiyamale area
Thursday, the M.C.N.S. said adding the tiger rebels suffered
losses in these clashes.

Meanwhile, one hand grenade was recovered from the
Maradana area in Colombo during search operations Thursday,
it said. PTI TVS
DEP