Soldiers make inroads into LTTE stronghold

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Soldiers of the 58 Division in Mannar successfully marched another 700 metres into the LTTE stronghold yesterday, military sources said.

Soldiers destroyed two LTTE bunker lines in the Ilanthivan area of Adampan in Mannar during the operation. Ground troops said that at least ten LTTE cadres could have been killed during the confrontation.

Last week, soldiers of the 58 Division advanced 1 kilometre into the Forward Defence Lines amidst heavy rains. According to ground information 42 terrorists were killed during the confrontation where the Army recovered 17 bodies. Of which 11 were handed over to the International Red Cross.

Another Tamil civilian, was were unable to put up with the LTTE's ruthless control, reached the Naval Detachment at Pallimunai in Mannar.

The total number of people who have reached the cleared areas seeking Government protection has increased to 213.

There are 14 families among the Internationally Displaced People (IDP). According to statistics 18 boys and 13 girls are among the IDPs which include 14 children under 10 and two four-month-old infants.

Fifty-four LTTE cadres surrendered to the Army in the Northen peninsula in March. Ten LTTE cadres surrendered to the Security Forces in the Wanni area during the past two months.