JAFFNA: TROOPS after a fierce multi-pronged counter attack on the Tiger terrorists in MUHAMALE Wednesday (23) early morning, in response to an LTTE terrorist strike earlier on the day to overrun Army bunkers, thrust themselves into enemy defences capturing an area of about 400 – 500 metres, ahead of the Forward Defence Line (FDL).

Tiger terrorists who have been desperately trying to provoke the troops in the opposite side of their defences in the past few weeks, broke off their lines and miserably tried to overrun Army defences this morning (23) at about 5.00 a.m.

But alert and brave troops of the Army hit back hard in full swing after launching counter attacks from both north and south directions, and strode into enemy-dominated areas, ahead of the FDL and captured an area covering about 400 – 500 metres where troops are now consolidating their positions at the time this report was pasted.

The LTTE’s miscalculated move against the troops has reportedly brought about disaster and losses to the terrorists with their casualties as high as some fifty-two terrorists killed in the encounter. A large number of terrorists have suffered injuries, according to initial reports. 

The ensuing gun-battles that erupted in the north and south of MUHAMALE on A-9 road lasted for about three hours.

Fifteen brave sons of the Army while in action against the terrorists laid their lives for the sake of the territorial integrity of the motherland. A total of seventy-four valiant soldiers injured in the offensives were evacuated to PALALY military hospital. Some of them were airlifted to other major hospitals elsewhere for immediate surgery and treatment.

Troops are clearing and consolidating their positions.