Lankan troops capture last rebel-held coastline
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, May 17, IRNA -- Dealing a massive blow to the rebels, Sri Lankan troops Saturday captured the last strip of the coastline held by the Tamil Tigers.
Cutting off all sea escape routes for the beleaguered rebels who are now confined to just 1.5 sq km territory encircled by the security forces.
Two divisions of the Sri Lankan army advancing from different directions in the north merged at a point and closed off the Mullaittivu coastline of the LTTE, PTI reported quoting Sri Lankan army as said, adding many rebel cadres were killed in the confrontation.
It said that the remnant rebel fighters were now confined to just 1.5 sq km of the 'No Fire Zone' and were surrounded by three divisions of the army, including the two that had merged.
As the Lankan offensive appeared headed for a conclusion, more than 10,000 trapped Tamil civilians yesterday fled the last remaining area held by the LTTE as President Mahinda Rajapaksa vowed to stamp out the rebels within 48 hours, a deadline which expires today.
Today's military success came a day after family members of LTTE's naval wing chief Col Soosai, including his wife, were captured by the Sri Lankan Navy as they tried to flee the island in a boat.
Soosai, the chief of 'Sea Tigers', is a close confidant of LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran.
Meanwhile, with the Sri Lankan forces cutting off all their escape routes, the top Tamil Tigers leadership, including its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, may be preparing to commit 'mass suicide', the Defense Ministry said today.
The Tigers are 'preparing for a mass suicide after forces cut off their sea as well as land escape routes and cornered them in a mere 3.5 sq km area', a military statement said.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on a trip to Jordan, is cutting short his visit and returning here where he may make a televised announcement late tonight.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 490513
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