Troops march towards Pooneryn

By Ranil WIJAYAPALA

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The 58 Division troops now operating in the Kilinochchi West front following their consecutive victories in Jeyapuram and Nachchikuda yesterday continued their march towards Pooneryn capturing 2 km long defence line in Paddaruyalvillu in the East of Mannar-Pooneryn A-32 road, Military sources told the Sunday Observer.

Tiger cadres withdrawn from Nachchikuda and Jeyapuram had strongly hold this defence line located some six kilometers North East of Madam and were challenged by the advancing troops yesterday morning.

Troops were able to recover 15 Tiger bodies including 10 bodies of female cadres and 13 weapons and i-con sets following the search operations they conducted in the area after the fierce battle erupted there.

It was on Thursday the troops attached to the 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva, captured the last fishing village strongly hold by the LTTE in the Western coast flushing out the Tiger cadres with the capture of the 15 Km long defence line there. Troops of the 58 Division now controlling the Mannar-Pooneryn A-32 road upto 12 th Mile Post and short of only 15 Km to reach Pooneryn to take full control of the Western coast to starve the supplies from the South Indian side and also link with the troops in Jaffna peninsula across Sanguppiddi jetty.