Troops of Army Task Force 1 have commenced mop up operations in Vannerikulam built up, in the western Kilinochchi battlefront since this morning (Oct 20), the defence sources said. Troops on Sunday afternoon (Oct 19), obtained the total domination over the area after months of fighting. The sources said that the area would be declared fully liberated once the mop up operations are completed.
Meanwhile, troops of both Task Force 1 and 57 division operating on the Kilinochchi front are consolidating their new positions acquired after heavy fighting since Saturday (Oct 18). Troops of 57 division, breached the last LTTE defence south of Kilinochchi on Saturday from the east and the west of Akkarayankulam tank.
Also, Task Force 1 troops encircling Nachchikudha, further closed up the last major sea tiger foothold on the northwestern coast. During these clashes on the weekend, 33 soldiers were reported killed in action , 48 injured and 3 others were reported missing. Both ground and radio monitoring sources reported heavy damages to the terrorists. Troops during clearing operations found remains of 11 LTTE cadres along with 7 T-56 riffles.
Apart from the clearing operations in the Akkarayankulam area, 57 division troops operating on the eastern flank of the Kilinochchi front attacked a group of terrorists in the area north of Kokavil last morning. Troops confirmed heavy damages to the terrorists while own suffered no casualties .