MANNAR: ENDING THE SPATE OF SPECULATIONS and accusations against the troops operating in the areas surrounding the holy MADHU shrine, members of the armed forces slowly but steadily took control of the vacated holy shrine and its compound without being subjected to any clashes Friday (25) morning.

Valiant troops, who venerate this sacred premises when entering the perimeter to the compound, found that all the terrorists in the area had seemingly abandoned the vacant shrine of the “Lady of Madhu”. Troops to their surprise stepped in to the compound and immediately ringed the holy building to avert any possible terrorist intrusion for an attack against the Security Forces.

Troops found all the major roads and subways blocked and barricaded by Tiger terrorists hours before they had deserted the area. Several terrorist bunkers erected as close as 500 m to the main church building were also found isolated and almost all the bunkers had been interconnected through trenches. On close inspection, the troops further learnt that several door and window glasses remained damaged as a result of the fire directed by terrorists targeting the troops in MADHU camp area several weeks ago.