SLA offensives towards LTTE bases in Mannaar foiled

[TamilNet, Saturday, 19 January 2008, 00:17 GMT]
A massive ground operation, started by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bases located in Paalaiku’li and Adampan in Mannaar area, was beaten due to fierce resistance by LTTE cadres, LTTE sources said.

The initial SLA offensive commenced in the morning at 8:40 a.m. in Paalaiku’li area when the SLA attempted to penetrate into LTTE-held areas with the support of artillery fire but unable to face the stiff resistance from LTTE cadres, the troops withdrew to their camps at 9:10a.m., with heavy losses.

The troops staged a second attack in the afternoon at 12:30 p.m. in Adampan area supported by heavy artillery fire. After a 20 minute intense duel, the SLA troops were once again forced to withdraw with losses.

Apart from these two offensives SLA also staged intensive artillery attacks in Mu'l'likku'lam and Thampanai areas in Mannaar.The SLA attacks were abnormally intensive, Mannaar battle front sources said.