LTTE: 3 SLA attempts thwarted, weapons seized

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 March 2008, 07:01 GMT]
22 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed Friday when Tigers confronted 3 different SLA attempts to advance into Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) territory in Vanni, the Tigers said. The LTTE Ma'nalaa'ru Operations Command said that the Tigers have seized two AK LMGs, two Law rockets, two T-56 assault rifles, communication equipment and ammunitions after defeating the SLA in Kokkuththoduvaay in Ma'nalaa'ru (Weli Oya) region where 15 SLA soldiers were killed. Meanwhile, Mannaar Operations Command of the Tigers claimed 7 SLA soldiers were killed and 18 wounded when the Tigers thwarted SLA attempt to break into LTTE territory on two fronts Friday morning.

2 SLA soldiers were killed and 8 wounded when Tigers put up stiff resistance from 7:00 a.m. till the SLA units withdrew at 9:00 a.m. at Cheaththukku'lam in Mannaar, according to the LTTE operations command in Mannaar.

5 SLA soldiers were killed and 10 wounded at Keerisuddaan front where the fighting lasted for one hour from 10:00 a.m.

The Tiger operations command in Mannaar also said they had seized four T-56 assault rifles and ammunitions including hand grenades and rounds in the second phase of clearing operation after the fighting in Paalaikkuzhi and Keerisuddaan last Monday.

The Tigers have not issued details on their casualties.

Both the LTTE and the SLA do not issue updates on their own casualties on a daily basis.