Heavy fighting on Paranthan-Pooneryn road

[TamilNet, Thursday, 10 June 1999, 16:53 GMT]
Sixteen SLA personnel, including two officers, were killed and 29 wounded in fighting that erupted east of Pooneryn today when the Liberation Tigers attacked troops advancing from the Elephant Pass-Paranthan Base complex today. The SLA said that 45 Tigers were killed in the confrontation and that it has captured 2.5 kilometres on the Paranthan Pooneryn road.

Following is the full text of the SLA communiquÈ.

"Security forces broke out from the defences in Paranthan early hours of this morning and advanced towards west astride the Paranthan- Pooneryn Road.

During the advancing security forces confronted the terrorists approximately 2 and half km from the forward defence lines. Terrorists used mortars and small arms against the advancing troops.

Security forces retaliated successfully destroyed 8 bunkers and strong points in the area.

Two officials and 14 soldiers were killed and 29 security forces were wounded during this operation.

Forty five terrorists are believed to be killed during the confrontation.

TerroristsÇ transmissions have so far confirmed 28 killed and a large number of them wounded,

Security forces also recovered 18 T56 weapons 34 T56 magazines 6 RPG Rounds 2 VHF Radio sets.

Operation continues."

Meanwhile two civilians have been reported killed in an air strike by the SLAF today. They have been identified as: S.Thanapalasingham and Parameswaran Jeyanthi.

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10.06.99   Heavy fighting on Paranthan-Pooneryn road