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41 killed as Lankan army destroys Tiger boats, thwarts infiltration

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 8, IRNA -- At least 41 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed, 34 of them in a fierce clash in Mullaittivu, as the advancing Sri Lankan Army thwarted a major rebel infiltration bid on their defense lines.

"As many as 34 LTTE cadres in an armor-plated lorry were approaching the Security Forces Forward Defense Line (FDL) at high speed when the troops assisted by armor tank fire destroyed the vehicle killing all the terrorists inside," zeenews portal reported quoting the Sri Lankan army as saying in a statement.

The incident occurred in south of Puthukudirippu area in Mullaittivu, the army said.

During subsequent search, troops found 34 dead bodies of the LTTE cadres along with their weapons, it said.

Meanwhile, six LTTE cadres were killed when two sea Tiger boats were destroyed in an area 10 km north east of Mullativu this morning, the army said.

In Ramanathapuram and Visuamadu areas in Mullaitivu, troops further stepped into the LTTE hiding areas in order to consolidate their defenses, the Defense Ministry said.

The army claimed to have engaged in a rescue mission to open a safe passage to facilitate the escape of Tamil civilians trapped in the rebel-held areas.

Separately, infantrymen also found weapons and claymore mines left behind by LTTE cadres in Visuamadu, where a body of a Tiger rebel was also found, the army said.

A search operation by infantrymen also found 26 hand grenades in Ramanathapuram, while troops of the 12 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment found dry ration stores and 35 barrels of oil containing 7,350 liters of diesel in Visuamadu, the army said.

One T-56 weapon, five claymore mines, two anti-aircraft gun barrels and two empty thermobaric weapons were among the items recovered.

At Mullaittivu, the LTTE cadres suffered heavy damages in confrontation with troops in Pudukudirippu and Kuruvikulam areas yesterday, the Media Center for National Security (MCNS) said.

In East Visuamadu as well, the rebels suffered losses during fierce fighting, it said.

Some soldiers conducting operations in the Visuamadu area were also injured in an anti-personal mine explosion yesterday, the MCNS said. An LTTE mortar launching position consisting of one 81mm mortar and one 60 mm mortar was also recovered, it said.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 346031