150 Tigers killed, LTTE ran for life - Gen. Fonseka

Security Forces yesterday aborted an LTTE offensive to overrun the Muhamalai-Nagar Kovil Forward Defence Lines (FDL), killing at least 150 Tiger cadres.

“We trounced them. The LTTE ran for life,” Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka told the Sunday Observer.

Gen Fonseka said the security forces by yesterday noon took control of the FDL and also in the Kayts and Mandativu islands where the Tigers fought their last battle.

Twenty seven security personnel, including three officers were killed in the confrontation. This included 22 soldiers and three officers. Two sailors were also killed in the fighting in the Kayts island. Eight officers and 72 soldiers were also injured in the confrontation.

A group of LTTE cadres who attempted a sea borne landing in the Kayts islands were confronted by the Navy who destroyed four sea Tiger boats. According to Navy statistics, at least 25 LTTE cadres were killed during their aborted landing in the Kayts.

“Commandos were dispatched to the Kayts and Mandativu. They have got rid of the Tigers,” Gen Fonseka said.

The Army Commander quoting ground troops said, over 40 bodies of the Tiger cadres were seen lying in front of the Muhamalai forward defence line.

Fifty four Tiger cadres, who were brought as reinforcements were killed by the Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL) fire on an LTTE camp in Poonaryn.

“The LTTE ran for life. That will be the trend for the future also,” quipped the Army Commander.

He said the LTTE offensive was not a diversionary attack. “This is their main target and they were planing for this through- out the ceasefire,” he said.

The Tigers also fired several rounds of artillery at the Palaly military airport, but no aircraft was damaged.

An LTTE attempt for seaborne landing in Kilali was also confronted by the Navy. Three sea Tiger boats were destroyed. Several rounds of Tiger artillery fell in the Kayts. No casualties were reported.

During the initial fighting on Friday night, troops withdrew from several FDL localities in Kilali, to retake them next morning.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Athula Jayawardene told a press briefing yesterday that no civilian casualties were reported in yesterday's fighting.