Troops push further into LTTE garrisons: scores killed, many injured [Updated]

An army trooper standing guard at the A-9 trunk road between Puliyankulama and Omanthai.

Pushing an end to the 30 year odd terrorist cause and the most prolonged, single handed counter terrorist campaign in south Asia, Sri Lankan security forces are advancing in multi-fronts with 7 offensive divisions into the remaining LTTE garrisons at Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu. According to battlefield reports, TF1 and 57 Div troops are now positioned in kissing distances to the outer defence lines of the LTTE's administrative heartland and main garrison township at Kilinochchi. Earlier during an 'e-mail interview' with a south Indian paper in the eve of the suicide bombers day, terror chief Prabakaran vowed to resist the military thrust at Kilinochchi, considered de-facto 'capital' of LTTE following the nation's 'greatest giveaway in history'- signing of the 2002 CFA.

Kilinochchi is considered to be a vital battle terrain and the most valued trophy for the security forces, who are determined to flushout LTTE during the world's most effective duel tasked 'counterterrorist cum Humanitarian operation' in modern time.

The military battle formations advancing from west of Parantan, Adampan, west of Iranamadu, Terumurikandy, Kokkuvil, Kanakarayankulam, Puliyankulam, Northeast of Olumadu and Alampil have caused great damages to LTTE leaving scores killed and as many injured during the past few days, security sources said. 11 LTTE bodies were found along with 17 T-56 assault riffles, Saturday (Dec 6), northeast of Olumadu in the western Mullaittivu battlefront by the TF 3 troops. Successive aerial raids conducted at identified LTTE strong points West of Parantan on Friday (05) and Saturday (06) have also left many terrorists killed, sources said citing intercepted LTTE communication. Among the terrorists killed many were said to be females who were lured to defened their male counterparts, seeking safety among civilians in the deeper Wanni territory.

3 more slain LTTE bodies were found during search operations conducted by the 59 Division troops in general area Alampil at Mullaittivu, on Friday.

Army stepped-up fresh offensives towards LTTE strong points at the Wanni battle theater as torrential rains and floods subsided. The Jaffna peninsula and the Wanni regions were severely affected with a record downpour at Jaffna after 50 years. Approximately, 296,671 people belonging to 85,349 families were displaced in Jaffna between 25th Nov and 02 Dec, according to latest statistics released from the Ministry of Disaster Management. 9 deaths were reported due to the floods, in addition to 2 others who sustained injuries. At the Mullaittivu district damages reported from 3 DS divisions numbered as 21,200 families, while individuals affected remained unconfirmed. Meanwhile, the official figures of IDPs as reported from the GA at Mullaittivu read as follows: Number of displaced families due to terrorist acts 2,036; individuals 8,080.

Defence and aid circles are also not ruling out a serious humanitarian catastrophe in Wanni which has already triggered an exodus of civilians into liberated areas, at Omanthai and Jaffna. People have already started openly protesting LTTE dictatorship in the regions. Earlier, as reported through defence.lk a massive protest was held by families of dead LTTE cadres and of those who are currently in the outfit, in Wanni on Dec 1. According to our sources, over 80 members of Mahaweera and Porali families participated in the protest held around 11 AM at the Oddusudan junction.

Meanwhile, over 654 people belonging to 225 families have crossed over to the safer regions at Jafffna, Omanthai and Nellukkulama seeking protection with security forces, since 01st November, 2008, till Saturday (Dec 6).

Security forces have now liberated a total stretch of 48 km along the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy trunk road, from Kokkuvil to Omanthai. This is the first time since 1998 that security forces have gained control over a vast territory of the A-9 road, military sources further said. The dominance claims the military presence at the central Wanni battlefront, probable launching pad of an all out eastward thrust at Mullaittivu with the defeat of LTTE in Kilinochchi. Battlefront reports claim the induction of a new offensive division, Task force -4 in Wanni in the coming week.

Defence observers are also anticipating the fall of Oddusudan, Nainamadu and Nedunerni LTTE fortifications as troops of TF 3 and TF 2 march along the A-34 Mankulam- Mullaittivu and the Puliyankulam - Tanniyuttu roads making the dominant eastward military thrust expected to link with the 59 Division at the eastern battlefront.

The cross-loading point at Puliyankulama. Terrorists have fled the area buring down everything at their disposal.
An ICRC ambulance returning from non-liberated area after delivering corpses of terrorists recovered by the military at the battlefronts. The ambulance is seen passing the Puliyankulama junction. The teachers training school at Puliyankulama.