Troops advance despite LTTE resitance

Sri Lanka Army's 57 division troops yesterday pierced LTTE built earth bund in Akkarayankulam, the terrorists' last major defence in the South of Kilinochchi built up. According to battlefield sources, troops dominated about 3 km stretch on the earth bund and captured 19 heavily fortified LTTE bunkers during an offensive conducted since last morning.

Troops launched the offensives around 5.45 AM with two main thrusts attacking the west and the east of the Akkarayankulam tank. Army infantryman moving from the west of the tank scored a major success against the terrorists with capture of 2 km stretch on the earth bund and the 19 terror bunkers.

Meanwhile, troops moving from the east of Akkarayankulam tank had to slowdown their advance at the initial stages as the terrorists launched poisonous gas attacks at them. However, troops withstood the chemical attack and beat off the terrorists, dominating about 1 km stretch on the LTTE earth bund.