WANNI: A FIGHTING PATROL observed a terrorist near a bunker on Thursday (20) around 2.25 p.m. in the general area of NAVATKULAM. Troops simultaneously engaged the bunker with small arms and RPGs. Troops confirmed one terrorist was killed.

Troops in KOTTAKKARANKULAM observed a tractor carrying five terrorists from the west to the east and fire on them. Troops confirmed five terrorists on the tractor were killed and the tractor toppled. Simultaneously, two teams engaged two LTTE bunkers manned by terrorists with RPGs and small arms.

Troops confirmed one bunker was totally destroyed and three terrorists were killed. Troops recovered three anti personnel mines afterwards from the location. Meanwhile, one soldier injured due to an IED explosion on Thursday (20) around 12.00 noon in the general area of RAMANATHANKULAM. He was evacuated to hospital. In the meantime, troops cleared a terrorist bunker and an abandoned 120 mm mortar location on Thursday (20) around 11.00 a.m. in the general area of PANDIVIRICHCHAN. Troops recovered three RPG charges, sixteen arul bombs, one pouch, fifty 7.62x39 rounds and ten meters of flexible wire. Meanwhile, one officer and one soldier were injured due to an IED explosion on Thursday (20) around 1.00 p.m. in the general area of PANDIVIRICHCHAN.

Casualties were evacuated to VAVUNIYA hospital.Meanwhile, troops attacked a terrorist bunker with RPGs, small arms and machine gunfire on Thursday (20) around 2.15 p.m. in the general area of PANDIVIRICHCHAN. Troops confirmed at least four terrorists were killed in the attack.

Troops meanwhile on the Thursday (20) around 5.15 p.m. attacked a terrorist hut using RPGs, machine guns and small arms in the general area east of VILATIKKULAM. Terrorists also engaged the troops with 81 mm mortars. Troops confirmed at least four terrorists were killed during this fight. In another incident, troops confronted a group of terrorists and engaged them with small arms fire on Thursday (20) around 1.15 p.m. in the general area of VEDDAYANMURIPPU. Ground troops confirmed three terrorists were killed and two others were wounded. Later troops recovered one T-56 weapon and 1500 rounds of 7.62x30 ammunition. In WELIOYA troops ambushed a group of terrorists and confirmed four terrorists were killed and three others were wounded on Thursday (20) around 7.00 a.m. in the general area of north of JANAKAPURA. Terrorist communications confirmed that two terrorists were killed and two others were injured. Two soldiers injured in the incident were taken to hospital.

Troops recovered one T-56 weapon and T-56 magazine. Troops on patrol attacked a terrorist on Thursday (20) around 11.00 a.m. in the general area north of JANAKAPURA. Troops confirmed he was killed. Whilst troops were observing the opposite area near the FDL one solder due to terrorist fire attack on Thursday (20) around 1.00 p.m. in the general area west of KIRIIBBANWEWA.

One soldier sustained injuries due to explosion of an anti personnel mine during a fighting patrol on Thursday (20) around 4.20 p.m. in the general area of JANAKAPURA.

(Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army)