2ND LEAD

Tigers thwart SLA movement in Mannaar, 10 killed

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 January 2008, 03:49 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army on Thursday suffered heavy casualties and abandoned a ground offensive through Ku'lakkaddu in Paalaikkuzhi in Mannaar, according to initial details released by the Mannaar operations command of the Tigers. The Tigers mounted stiff resistance against the SLA troops that were backed by heavy artillery and Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher fire since 5:30 a.m. Around 10 SLA troopers were killed and more than 15 wounded in the offensive push which was thwarted at 11:30 a.m., the Tigers said.

The SLA troops were withdrawn to their original positions, the Tigers said.

Sri Lankan military officials are yet to release any details of the fighting in Mannaar.