SLA, LTTE skirmishes in Northern FDLs

[TamilNet, Friday, 30 November 2007, 00:11 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) attempts to advance in Ki’laali and Mukamaalai north Front Defence Line (FDL) positions Thursday morning were repulsed by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, sources near northern FDL areas said. Meanwhile, SLA Chief, Major. General Sarath Fonseka, visited Palaali SLA Head Quarters (HQ) Thursday, where he met with SLA high command in Jaffna peninsula, and reviewed military plans.

LTTE sources said that they had successfully beaten back a similar SLA attempt Wednesday.

Tension is palpable among the residents in Jaffna peninsula as artillery duels, mortar and rocket fire between the SLA and LTTE continue to escalate.

Both parties are actively engaged in operations aimed at destroying the sentry points of the other, located in the no-man-zone between the FDL positions.

Though these operations take place almost daily, no casualties have been reported from either side so far.

The artillery duels and mortar fire exchanges take place mainly when the troops shift duty at dawn everyday.

Meanwhile, the visits of SLA chief have become more frequent in the last weeks.