NORTH & WANNI:  TROOPS in JAFFNA intensified assaults on terrorist positions in the general area of MUHAMALE Wednesday (16) during their operations ahead of the Forward Defence Line (FDL). Troops killed one terrorist and injured at least six. Two soldiers suffered injuries and were admitted to hospital for treatment.

Similar offensives were conducted by the troops in ANDANKULAM, PALAMPIDDI, VINAYAGAKULAM, PALAMODE, KANNE KARAPPU and PULIYANKULAM in VAVUNIYA where six terrorists were killed and nine injured Wednesday (16). 

One soldier laid his life and eight others with injuries suffered in the confrontations were referred for medical treatment. Troops also recovered eighty-three anti personnel mines and two T-56 weapons from the areas. The same day, MANNAR troops confronted pockets of Tiger terrorists in KALLEIADANCHAN, MANTHOTAM and VEDIYA MURIPPU areas in MANNAR Wednesday (16).   Four terrorists were killed and three terrorists injured.

Two soldiers were also injured in the incidents. Meanwhile, fighting continued Wednesday (16) in the general areas of JANAKAPURA, KIRIIBBANWEWA and ANDANKULAM in WELIOYA, causing death to five terrorists injuring at least forty seven. Terrorist fire injured nine soldiers. Subsequent searches conducted by the troops in confronted areas recovered two-hundred and sixty-eight anti personnel mines.    

Meanwhile, troops on clearing operations in the general areas of SULNAMARUTAMADU, CHINNAVALAYANKADDU and SIVARAYANKULAM in VAVUNIYA, MATHIKADDIDAI and KADDUTTADDAMALAI in MANNAR and KOKKUTHUDUWAI, JANAKAPURA and ANDANKULAM in WELIOYA recovered three hundred and sixty anti personnel mines, one 85 pounder-trap, one 81 mm mortar trap, two T 56 weapons, two hand grenades, two hundred rounds of ammunition, one booby trap and one tent Wednesday (16). Meanwhile,  during another clearing operation in the general area of MANIRASAKULAM, TRINCOMALEE, troops recovered two claymore mines and one claymore stand Wednesday (16) around 9.45 a.m..  

Cab with Explosives Nabbed at Roadblock  

PUTTALAM:  A ROUTINE SEARCH conducted on vehicles at a roadblock in PETHAVADIYA, KALPITIYA area found a crew cab carrying explosives to an undisclosed party.  The explosives in the vehicle contained six hundred and sixty-three bags,  each containing 150 g and seven rolls of 35 ft-long detonator codes.  The search was conducted at about 10.00 p.m. on Wednesday (16).  Two men in the lorry were taken in for questioning with regard to the recovery.  The KALPITIYA Police are conducting investigations. 

Terrorists’ Logistics Base Attacked  

MULLAITHIVU: AN LTTE BASE for their logistics at PIRAMANALKULAM, about 15 km northwest of PUDUKUDIRIPPU, MULLAITHIVU was pounded this morning (17) around 6.30 a.m. after intelligence confirmed some LTTE activity was on at the base. Air Force Kfir jets confirmed LTTE terrorists suffered heavy damages in the attack. 

Saboteurs Behind Transformer Destruction ? 

KANDY: SABOTEURS, probably hired by Tiger terrorists who might have infiltrated the central hills destroyed two power transformers on roadside in KANDY Wednesday (16) night for reasons best known only to those men. Those transformers supply power to YAKGAHAWEWA and PANWILA areas in KANDY covering over 25,000 households. Power supply is to be restored shortly.  The Police investigations are on.

(Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army)