4TH LEAD

Fresh SLA advance repulsed in Vannearikku'lam - LTTE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 September 2008, 11:32 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA), which launched a fresh attempt to advance in Vannearikku'lam on Thursday suffered heavy casualties as the Tigers repulsed the move after heavy fighting that lasted for almost four hours, LTTE military officials in Vanni told TamilNet claiming that 25 SLA soldiers were killed in the fighting and more than 40 wounded. Two dead bodies of SLA soldiers were recovered and the Tigers have seized arms and ammunitions from the battlefield. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan military officials in Colombo claimed that their forces were engaged in a 3-hour sea battle from 11:30 a.m. with the LTTE Sea Tigers in the seas off Naachchikkudaa, claiming an equal number of casualties on LTTE side.

Heavy fighting broke out in Vannearikku'lam region around 9:30 a.m. Thursday and lasted til 1:00 p.m., according to LTTE officials. Two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, one AK-LMG, five T-56 assault rifles, one T-56-type-2 rifle, Claymore mines, grenades and several rounds were among the seized arms and ammunitions left behind by the SLA forces that were pushed back at Vannearikku'lam.LTTE military officials also said the SLA was attempting to advance in the southern sector of the Ki'linochchi district on Wednesday amid stiff fighting. Around 10 SLA soldiers were killed in action on Wednesday, the Tigers said.The LTTE didn't release details on its own casualties and yet to release details on the said naval clash.Meanwhile, fishermen's representatives said the displaced fishermen had recently engaged in fishing in Valaippaadu, expressing concern for the lives of the fishermen. The IDP fishermen had collected nets and other fishing material to engage in fishing in Valaippaadu coastal area this week, they said.