Published on - 4/18/2008
WELIOYA: FRESH ROUNDS OF FIGHTING for supremacy in the WELIOYA sector on Thursday (17) resulted in losses and damages to the Tiger terrorists as troops went on attacking more and more Tiger terrorist fortifications.
Those clashes in JANAKAPURA, KOKKUTHUDUWAI, KIRIIBBANWEWA, ANDANKULAM and a few areas to the north of WELIOYA destroyed an LTTE trapped 81 mm mortar bomb, two 60 mm mortars and several LTTE bunkers.
During one fierce fighting that took place at about 3.25 p.m. close to ANDANKULAM east, troops attacked one LTTE strongpoint and the terrorists in return directed mortars and artillery fire.
At least twelve terrorists were feared killed or injured in this clash according to terrorist transmissions and ground intelligence. After some time monitored Tiger transmissions said four terrorists were killed and eight more were seriously injured.
During this fight two valiant soldiers laid their lives and five more soldiers received injuries. More terrorists in hiding had begun to withdraw further towards the north in the face of approaching troops.
Meanwhile, another clash at KOKKUTHIDUWAI the same day (17) at about 10.30 a.m. brought death to at least four terrorists.
One brave soldier paid the supreme sacrifice while resisting LTTE artillery and mortar fire that was directed while the fight was still on. Another soldier wounded in the fighting was admitted to hospital.
Troops in the above areas attacked pockets of terrorists in KIRIIBANWEWA at about 10.00 a.m. and around 10.45 a.m.. Both attacks confirmed at least six terrorists were killed or badly injured. In ANDANKULAM at 11.40 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. troops directed assaults on two more pockets of terrorists and eliminated at least six terrorists.
Troops also de-mined KOKKUTHUDUWAI area on Thursday (17) and unearthed eighteen LTTE anti personnel mines.
Three more soldiers received injuries during another round of clash that erupted at KIRIIBANWEWA around 11.15 a.m. on Thursday (17).
