Troops in final phase – Defence Ministry

The defence ministry yesterday said that troops have now entered into the final phase of the counter terrorist offensive against LTTE with soldiers getting ‘exceptional attrition rates’ in the battle.  The ministry said that troops of 58 Division on Thursday further pushed their forward boundaries east of Kombavil Kulam, four km north of Puthukkudiyiruppu. “Troops overwhelmed intense resistance of the terrorist with heavy artillery and mortar shells fired from the No Fire Zone and inflicted heavy damages to the LTTE,” it said.

After five hours of intense fighting since morning troops recovered 11 bodies of LTTE cadres , 17 T-56 riffles, seven radio communication sets, 40 hand grenades, and one gas mask. Separately, troops of the same Division found three bodies of LTTE cadres, 9 T-56 rifles, and few electronic items during the evening hours following a confrontation elsewhere.

Snipers deployed in forward areas reported 13 LTTE targets acquired. The ministry also said that troops of 53 Division are now marching east along the A-35 road (Paranthan- Mullaitivu) also withstood heavy indirect fire originated from the No Fire Zone.

During the fighting troops found one LTTE body, 15 T-56 riffles , one 81 mm mortar gun, one multi purpose machine gun, one rocket propeller grenade launcher and two radio communication sets from Puthukkudiyiruppu East. Snipers reported acquisition of four targets in the forward areas of Puthukkudiyiruppu East. Meanwhile, troops of 55 Division marching south along the north-eastern coast further pushed their forward boundaries south of Puthumathaln, the Defence Ministry added.