2ND LEAD

LTTE, SLA clash in Vavuniyaa, Mannaar, Ma'nalaa'ru

[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 01:41 GMT]
Attempts by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers to attack Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) bases in the southern Forward Defense Lines (FDLs) in Mannaar, Vavuniyaa and Ma'nlaa'ru were defeated in counter attacks by the LTTE, Mannaar operations command of Tigers said Thursday.

SLA troopers initiated a two-pronged offensive Thursday morning 8.20a.m. aimed at LTTE-controlled areas in Naavatkulam, lasting 20 minutes. After retreating from the battle front SLA troopers initiated a second attack at 9:45a.m, supported by intensive artillery fire attempting to penetrate through LTTE-controlled Paalamoaddai area.

During the 45 minutes of duel lasting till 10:30a.m., SLA troopers were forced to withdraw to their bases, with heavy losses. LTTE did not suffer any casualties during the counter attack.

In small-scale attacks by SLA beginning at 9:00 a.m. and lasting 25 minutes targeting LTTE-controlled area of Pa’ndivirichchaan, Mannar artillery attacks were staged using armoured vehicles and Tankers.

Elswewhere in Ma’nalaa’ru, a three pronged attack by SLA at 12.20p.m.targeting Kokkuththoduvaay and Ma’nki’ndimalai with heavy artillery support and gun fire lasting till 5:30 p.m. was once again foiled by LTTE cadres. There were no losses for LTTE, Liberation Tigers Operations Command in Ma'nalaa'ru reported.

Meanwhile Thursday afternoon at 3:40 p.m., LTTE fighters destroyed an SLA sentry point located in Aariyakundaan in Ma'nalaa'ru .

SLA launched another attack Thursday morning near the Forward Defence Lines (FDL) in the Northern Front from 5:40a.m till 7:55 a.m. targeting LTTE bases in Ki’laali, Naakarkoayil and Mukamaalai as well as civilian settlements in Vadamaraadchi East. Casualty figures were not available, Tigers said.

In a separate incident in Kanchikuduichaaru, Ampaarai three SLA troopers were injured when clashes erupted Thursday 10:40a.m between the troopers and LTTE cadres patrolling the area