Troops 2kms from Vellamullaivaikkal bridge on A-35 road

According to the Defence Ministry, the LTTE has lost its earth bund built across the A-35 road up to the northern edge of the Nanthikadal lagoon. With the latest military advance, troops have established their positions less than 2 km to the bridge at Vellamullaivaikkal on the A-35 road. The bridge is the main road access to the narrow land stretch on the northeastern coast where the LTTE holds thousands of civilians as a human shield in the ‘No Fire Zone’.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan soldiers of 53 Division yesterday (Apr. 12) successfully repulsed several LTTE attempts to breach military defence line in Puthukkuddyiruppu. According to the MoD, the terrorists have launched at least four offensives at Army defence lines established across the A-35 (Mullaittivu-Paranthan) road. The clashes that broke out around 6 in the morning lasted more than 12 hours, the sources added.

Troops not only crushed the ground assault but also pushed their own forward boundaries as they pursue the fleeing enemy. Intercepted LTTE radio communication revealed that 37 LTTE cadres were killed and 16 wounded in the fighting. Troops found 18 T-56 rifles; two radio communication sets, one commando mortar launcher, and one motor vehicle, during the subsequent search operations.