Heavy fighting near Puliyankulam

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Amidst claims by the Sri Lankan army that the strategic Puliyankulam junction was captured in a surprise commando attack in the early hours of the morning on Saturday Nov. 15, the Voice of Tiger (VOT) broadcast in the Vanni this morning only spoke of reports that the army is making concerted efforts to take the centre of the Puliyankulam town.

The VOT further said that the LTTE is fiercely resisting government troops that have been trying to advance since yesterday and that in the ensuing clashes more than nine soldiers were killed and more than thirty wounded.

Although fighting took place in Karuppatta Murippu, Kilinochchi and Kanakarayan Kulam, the clashes were most intense at Kanakarayan Kulam where for the last two days there has been heavy fighting between the Tigers and the army the radio said.

According to the VOT fighting here had been most fierce in the afternoon yesterday.

Five Tigers - one female identified as a lieutenant and four males including a captain - were killed in the fighting said the VOT. Three Tigers were killed at Karuppatta Murippu on Saturday.