4 SLA killed, 9 injured in Pa'ndivirichchaan - LTTE

[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 19:54 GMT]
During an attempt at 10:00 a.m. and a subsequent attempt at 3:20 p.m Saturday by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to advance towards Liberation Tigers Forward Defence Lines (FDLs), the LTTE fighters beat back the advance killing four SLA troopers and injuring nine, LTTE military command in Mannaar said.

SLA deployed multi-barrel rocket launchers, and concentrated mortar and artillery fire to support its forward movement in both attempts.

The first attempt lasted till Sunday noon. Two SLA troopers were killed, and five soldiers were injured in this attempt, before the SLA retreated to the initial positions.

During SLA's second attempt through the same area with added fire power, the fighting lasted more than an hour. Two SLA troopers were killed and four soldiers were injured in this attempt.

According to LTTE command, there were no LTTE casualties.

SLA had attempted to advance in the same area Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m., and this effort also was beaten back by the Tigers with additional SLA casualties.