Troops step up offensive; air force gunships hit tiger base

T V Sriram

Colombo, Nov 8 (PTI) Sri Lankan troops are positioning
themselves within striking distance of key Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam (L.T.T.E.) areas in rebel stronghold of
Kilinochchi as air force gunships has launched a surprise
attack on a Tamil tiger base, officials said Saturday.

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 gunships Friday launched a
night assault at an L.T.T.E. gathering point at Palaitivu, a
small islet 18 kms west of Pooneryn in Jaffna peninsula, the
military said.

According to Air Force Spokesperson Janaka Nanayakkara,
the gunships targeted an L.T.T.E. reinforcement gathering in
the islet causing heavy damages to the enemy. There was no
immediate details of casualties.

In ground clashes, the troops of the Task Force 1 have
reportedly liberated vast tracts from the rebels along the
western coast and now positioned within striking distance to
Pooneryn, Sempankundu and Nallur L.T.T.E. fortifications, he
said.

"Troops are forcing the Tamil rebels to flee in total
disarray as the military surge continues with strong
determination to liberate the strategically important 90 km
coastal stretch adding another nail to the rebel's coffin,"
the defence ministry said.

Meanwhile, the military advances into L.T.T.E. dominated
territory on three fronts namely Pooneryn, Kilinochchi and
Mullaittivu areas in the western, central and eastern Wanni
theatres have gained momentum during the past few weeks, the
ministry said.

It claimed the L.T.T.E. suffered a heavy casualties in
these clashes.

Meanwhile, troops of the 57 Division now operating north
of the recently liberated Akkarayankulam built-up have made
further advances towards Kilinochchi dismantling several
L.T.T.E. counter attacks Friday, military sources said.

At Mullaitivu, the army recovered 147 A:147
Anti-Personnel Mines after conducting search operations in the
Andankulam area Friday, the Media Centre for National
Security (M.C.N.S.) said.

Several soldiers were also reported wounded due to the
explosion of some anti-personnel mines in the area, it said.

The troops inflicted heavy damage and destroyed three
bunkers during confrontations in Andankulam area on Friday, it
said adding the forces also captured an L.T.T.E. Fiber Glass
Dinghy (F.G.D.).

It said three fierce confrontations were reported with
L.T.T.E. at Pallai in the embattled north Friday.

One soldier was reported wounded in the clashes at
Kunchchikulam and another received minor injuries at Navaladi
in Kilinochchi.

In Jaffna, troops destroyed two stretches of L.T.T.E.
defence lines in Muhamalai, it said adding the security forces
also inflicted damages in Nagarkovil in the Jaffna peninsula.

Separately, the army destroyed three L.T.T.E. bunkers in
Killali in the peninsula Friday, the M.C.N.S. said.