LTTE takes heavy beating: 24 terrorist bodies, weapons uncovered - Mullaittivu

As Mullaittivu battles reached its last phase LTTE terrorists made several desperate attempts in vain, to infiltrate the military forward defences which left over 100 terrorists killed and as many injured since Friday dawn (March 6).

LTTE terrorists were preparing for a large scale offensive towards the existing military defences at Palamathalan and North of Puthkkudiyirippu, inducting over 200 cadres including suicide bombers and sea tigers. Following the initial thrust terrorists had planned to send waves of 100 odd cadres to provide reinforcements. Bahnu, Lowrence, Soosai and few other high profile LTTE terrorists were directly involved in master minding the preemptive assault, security sources said. According to military, this is the first time during recent battles LTTE has inducted many of its 'high profiles' to the battlefront. Yet, timely detection and precise INTEL information received proved decisive as terrorist offensive waves were received with intense military counter attacks at the crack of dawn on Friday (6). Over 30 terrorists were killed during the initial thrust while the rest were hunted down by 2nd Commando Regiment troops, 12 GR, 12 GW and 8 GW troops during the past 48 hours.

Terrorists had taken the liberty of the military tolerance of not engaging LTTE positions within the declared No Fire Zone. The land stretch of about 4kms south of Pudumathalan, is been continuously used as a launching pad for LTTE attacks, who despite the high density of the civilian population have located its heavy mortars and artillery batteries to mount attacks towards advancing military troops, ground sources revealed. Reflecting upon the LTTE's crude tactic to trigger a civilian catastrophe a senior defence observer said that, security forces will continue with its 'Zero Civilian Casualty (ZCC)' policy despite continuation of LTTE provocations.

According to latest information received from the battlefront, over 50 terrorists were killed during fighting ensued in general areas North of Puthukkudiyirippu and South of Palamathalan, between troops and LTTE yesterday (March 7). Troops of the 58 Division have uncovered 24 LTTE bodies alone and seized weapons security sources said. 13 slain terrorists were identified to be from the 'Imranpandiyan' band of the LTTE who were killed following a heavy gunfire exchange with 8 Gemunu Watch (GW) infantrymen, the sources said.

20 x T-56 assault riffles, 02x Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, a grenade launcher, 03 x I-com sets and a vehicle with a mounted anti-air gun were also among the items seized, the sources further said.

Meanwhile, Task Force - 8 troops continued advancing North and Eastwardly after consolidating positions along the A - 35 road stretch leaving LTTE resistances in total disarray.