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40 Tamil Tigers killed in Lanka

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, March 17, IRNA -- Sri Lankan troops killed about 40 Tamil guerrillas in fierce battles in the last rebel-held area of Puthukudiyiruppu in the northern war zone, where a Tiger suicide bomber blew himself up near an army camp but failed to cause casualties.

Special Force troops serving in west of Puthukudiyiruppu in Mullaittivu had a narrow escape when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) cadre, clad in an army sergeant's uniform, triggered the blast while trying to infiltrate into military-held areas, Indian official media reported quoting Sri Lankan army as said today.

"Army troops on full alert in the area were busy making preparations for receiving more and more displaced civilians, but the sudden appearance of the 'sergeant' in army camouflage entertained doubts about his identity and the bona-fides," it said.

The army said the troops ordered the suspect to raise hands and identify himself before any further movement when he detonated his suicide belt and died on the spot.

None of the troops sustained injuries, it said.

The military said troops engaged in the final phase of offensive in the north marked a decisive milestone by reaching Iranapali, 'a strategically vital junction in Pudukudiyirrpu built-up in Mullaittivu district', following intense fighting.

LTTE activities along the Puthukuddiarippu-Putumathalan main road, once the main rebel supply route, and several link roads running across the area will be further limited with the fall of Iranapalai junction, the Defense Ministry said.

The LTTE is now boxed in an area of less than 35 sq kms in the island's northern province, it said.

According to military sources, infantrymen pushed their forward boundaries further into the Irnapali East area in Puthukudiyiruppu.

Following clashes with rebels since on Monday, troops found 13 bodies of LTTE cadres, 24 T-56 riffles, two radio communication sets, five improvised mortars and two remote controlling devices.

Also, the snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed acquisition (killing) of 16 LTTE targets during the day, the sources said.

Intercepted LTTE radio transmission also confirmed that nine Tigers were killed and 15 injured during clashes with troops on Monday.

Separately, the LTTE was pushed further towards the western edge of the Nandikadal lagoon in Pudukudiyirippu by late on Monday, the army said.

During search operations, the body of a Tiger cadre and a large cache of arms and ammunition were found.