MULLAITTIVU: INFANTRY troops of the 53, 58 and 59 Divisions, now actively involved in the final phase of the rescue operation during the wee hours on Tuesday (12) closed in on the boundaries at the “New Safety Zone”.
After risky night movements, the 58 Division troops hugged the northern boundary of the “New Safety Zone” (NSZ) following intense overnight fighting which, saw Tiger terrorists fall one by one, unable to face small arms fire of the troops.
As the first light struck, troops collected twenty five dead Tigers, twenty T-56 weapons, one LMG (Light Machine Gun) and one I-com radio set from the area where pitched battles took place.
Meanwhile, 59 Division troops broke off their positions and crossed the NANTHI KADAL lagoon and advanced nearly 300 metres towards the southern end of the “New Safety Zone” to link with 53 Division troops, remained deployed along the western boundary of the “New Safety Zone”.
The 59 Division troops formed an extended defence line around the southern end of the “New Safety Zone” covering the entire NANTHI KADAL lagoon and the surrounding sea beach.
Fighting still rages on in the area.
