54 LTTE killed, 42 wounded as heavy fighting erupts in Mannar

Defence.lk" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 1px 4px; visibility: visible;" class="PopBoxImageSmall" title="Click to magnify/shrink" onclick="Pop(this,50,'PopBoxImageLarge');" align="left" border="1" height="166" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="250">Military reports received stated that, at least 54 LTTE terrorists were killed, 42 wounded and 14 others believed either killed or seriously injured in heavy fighting ensued between troops and LTTE on Tuesday(April 1) in the Wanni and Northern battle theatres.

The terrorist casualties tolled in the Wanni battle theatre as troops broke into the heavily fortified LTTE defences from the Vavuniya front, yesterday. According to reports, 36 terrorists were reported killed alone in clashes at the Vavuniya front, while 16 others were killed and 36 wounded ahead of Mannar defences.

At the Vavuniya front intermittent clashes broke out in general areas Maruthamadu, Sulanamarutamadu, Villatikkulama and Kallikkulama, security sources said.

Meanwhile, troops gained considerable ground in the Mannar front in general areas Puliyankulama, Puttukkulama, Malikittidai, Veddayamurippu and Palaikkuli as attacks were intensified targeting LTTE strong points, sources further said.

At the Jaffna front in Muhamalai, a terrorist was killed sniped, while 4 others were reported either killed or wounded in a separate confrontation in general area Nagarkovil. 2 soldiers were also wounded during the confrontation, security sources said.

Meanwhile, in the Welioya front troops recovered a total of 520AP mines during separate search operations conducted in general area Andankulama, security sources said. A terrorist was also reported killed when troops attacked an LTTE strong point in the same area, sources further said.

According to military reports, 2 soldiers have laid their lives in the confrontations while 22 others were reported wounded.

LTTE bunkers and trenches captured by troops while advancing in general area Parayakulama, on 01st April.

LTTE bunkers and trenches captured by troops while advancing in general area Parayakulama, on 01st April."

LTTE bunkers and trenches captured by troops while advancing in general area Parayakulama, on 01st April."