Heroic troops of the 57 Division and Special Forces in the MULLAITTIVU front, WANNI forging ahead triumphantly in areas to the north of VAVUNIKULAM, about 3 km  to the south of MALLAVI town on 24th July 2008 afternoon brought a well-fortified LTTE stronghold area completely under  control killing twenty-five terrorists and injuring a similar number.

Scores of Tigers who have also been reportedly motivated by LTTE’s Artillery Chief and MULLAITTIVU sector “BHANU,” just hours before valiant troops rolled on to that area could not resist the fire-power of the advancing troops. The fight for dominance in the area commenced as the first light 24th July 2008 fell when brave troops started their advance into Tiger controlled areas.

By 3.30 p.m. on 24th July 2008 troops have collected seven dead Tiger terrorists, one 120mm weapon (artillery mortar), two 81mm mortars, forty-eight 120mm rounds, seventy-four 81mm ammunition rounds, four ICOM  sets, two motorbikes, five T-56 weapons, one binocular, one tractor and many other explosive devices as the troops after fighting settled started clearing the area.

Consolidating troops 24th July night were able to collect thirty-three (33) dead bodies of Tiger terrorists including six female terrorists as the dusk fell on 25th July 2008 along with a massive stock of arms and ammunition.

Valiant troops taking a strategic measure after the initial capture of the area, quite close to MALLAVI town awaited a retaliatory attack in return since the damage to the enemy was colossal at the first phase. The enemy was later on strategically lured into another mishap as the evening fell. Troops 25th July 2008 morning started clearing the captured areas taking maximum possible precautionary measures since the area remains infested with LTTE booby traps and explosive devices.

Terrorists died in the fight include PALLAVAN, AMBUMANI,  SELVAKANNAN, SELLAPPU, MUHI, ILLAMBU, SUDAR and JENATHAN who were at the commanding level of the Tiger hierarchy in the MULLAITTIVU sector, belonging to the so-called “Charles Anthony Brigade”. Of them PALLAVAN and AMBUMANI were ranked as “Lieutenant Colonel” and “Major” who commanded as Second in Command.

Twenty-three T-56 weapons, one Rocket Propeller Gun (RPG), fourteen radio sets, four RPG rounds, two hand grenades, 1.5 kg of explosives, six T-56 magazines, one 15 m long detonator code, one motor cycle and several explosive items left behind or used by dead Tigers were also found by the troops from the consolidating areas.