KILINOCHCHI, 22 Aug:

The much talked about terrorist stronghold, TUNUKKAI, about 20 km west of MANKULAM, one more central connecting village, UYILANKULAM, and also the southern edge of the AKKARAYANKULAM tank, about 12 km to the southwest of KILINOCHCHI town centre were finally brought under government troops’ control as dawn fell on Friday (22), bringing a humiliating defeat for the terror outfit that has been ranked as the most ruthless, the Army Headquarters announced.This is the first time in the history of the so-called “Eelam War” Sri Lankan troops dominated these areas, striking a major blow to the LTTE terrorist outfit which has murdered thousands of innocent civilians, politicians, democrats, intellectuals, statesmen, members of the Armed Forces and the Police.

Agriculturally-rich TUNUKKAI, one of the nerve centres of the Tiger outfit was serving as a major administrative hub responsible for  the coordination of all Sea Tiger attacks, deployment of LTTE terrorists, distribution of armaments, planning of clandestine operations, abduction and evacuation of civilians from different venues, etc. for the past few years. This terrorist stronghold became busily operational after the recent fall of notoriously famous Sea Tiger base, VIDATTALTTIVU which was earlier regarded as a “no-entry zone” by Tigers.    

UYILANKULAM, another farming village that lies between the southern edge of the AKKARAYANKULAM tank was also dominated by Tigers. It functioned as a secret transit location for their operations, since it is situated quite close to their administrative financial hub, KILINOCHCHI and other important locations.     

Valiant troops in their hundreds, led by 57 Division General Commanding Officer Major General Jagath Dias for the last couple of weeks, were fearlessly forging ahead from VELLANKULAM fronts while troops fighting in PULIYANKULAM, NEDUNKERNY areas to the northwest of VAVUNIYA, effectively blocked infiltration of terrorists to TUNUKKAI areas. Earlier troops captured KALVILAN, which is also quite close to MALLAVI.     

Air Force fighter craft during those fierce confrontations contributed effectively to the capture of those areas while ground troops were inching forward.     

Valiant troops of the 57 Division pierced through scores of well-fortified LTTE trenches, bunkers and strongholds while simultaneously removing LTTE laid hundreds of booby traps, land mines and explosive devices, amidst rains of Tiger artillery, mortar and small arms fire.