Troops advance beyond Mulliyawalai

by Our Defence Correspondent

Following the capture of Mulliyawalai by the Security Forces the fall of Tanniyuttu area is imminent, according to Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. The search and clearing operations are currently under way in the Mulliyawalai with troops breaking into remaining LTTE resistance points in the area.

On Boxing Day, 59 Division troops gained total control over the Mulliyawalai township along the A-34 Mankulam-Mullaitivu main road. The fierce battle to take control of Mulliyawalai lasted 36 hours, the military sources added. Meanwhile, terrorist resistance in Mullaitivu is disintegrating with intense military amour, artillery and infantry assaults, Wanni Defence sources said, adding that the 7GW troops have also closed-in on Tanniyuttu, an LTTE stronghold located 3.5 km further Northeast along the A-34 main road. The advancing troops were also assisted with close-combat air support provided by the SLAF jets and MI-24 helicopter gunships, military sources said. Both terrorist reinforcements and logistic supplies being cut off they are receiving a heavy beating from the advancing military flanks on either side of the eastern Mullaitivu battlefront. The capture of Mulliyawalai is expected to trigger the fall of Tanniyuttu, Defence observers stated.