2ND LEAD (UPDATE, PHOTOS ADDED)

Tigers locate 6 SLA bodies, seize weapons, heavy fighting in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Monday, 19 May 2008, 05:35 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) on Sunday thwarted a ground movement launched by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) from Irungka'ndalku'lam towards Va'n'naaku'lam in Mannaar claiming that at least 26 SLA soldiers were killed in the fighting and that more than 50 SLA soldiers were wounded. The Tigers have located 6 dead bodies of the SLA soldiers in the clearing mission. Two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers and six T-56 assault rifles were among the weapons seized by the Tigers. Three Tiger fighters were killed in action, according to the LTTE officials in Vanni.



The fighting backed by heavy artillery, Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher and mortar fire was launched by the SLA at 5:00 a.m. and lasted till 11:00 a.m.

Two RPGs, six T-56 assault rifltes, 8 RPG shells and propellers, sixty-one magazines, forty-eight hand grenades, two RPD LMG barrels, 6,985 rounds, 1,885 RPD linked-rounds, one Claymore mine and several military accessories were seized in the clearing mission that continued until Sunday night.

3 SLA bodies were located in the day time and 3 more during the clearing mission Monday night, the Tigers said.

One of the dead soldier was identified as W. Rajan Kumara with the Sri Lankan national identity card number 861552853 V and another identity card with number 870432461 V was identified in photographs released by the Tigers.

In the meantime, the SLA has opened another front towards Va'n'naaku'lam from Karungka'ndal Sunday night.

Heavy fighting was continuing Monday morning amid artillery and mortar barrage from the SLA, the LTTE officials further said.