SLA intensifies artillery barrage in Northern Front

[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 August 2008, 17:01 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) from its bases in Thenmaraadchi and Vadamaraadchi launched Sunday afternoon heavy artillery and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) territory in Mukamaalai and Nakarkoayil, sources in Jaffna said. The intensified shelling comes while the SLA troops are reportedly engaged in sporadic clashes with LTTE combatants for the third consecutive day. Night shelling continues from the SLA 52nd Division base in Va’ra’ni, Kodikaamam base and Point Pedro Munai SLA base.

Thenmaraadchi and Vadamaraadchi areas keep reverberating with deafening explosions.

The LTTE has not retaliated against the artillery shelling though both sides are engaged in mortar fire exchange in the FDL positions, according to the sources.

Most of the residents near the SLA bases in Vadmaraadchi and Thenmaraadchi have left their residences.

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