2ND LEAD

100 SLA killed, 250 wounded, heavy fighting in Ki'linochchi - LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 14:28 GMT]
More than 100 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and at least 250 SLA soldiers wounded Monday when the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) repulsed a fresh offensive push, said S. Puleedevan, the director of LTTE's Peace Secretariat, quoting LTTE's field commanders. Heavy fighting raged from 5:30 to 12:45 when the SLA attempted to advance from Uruththirapuram towards Ki'linochchi and Ira'naimadu. Several corpses of the SLA soldiers were seen in the battlefield and the Tigers were engaged in seizing arms and ammunitions after routing the offensive on two fronts, Mr. Puleedevan further said. The fighting was continuing on three fronts.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers were also engaged in attacking LTTE Forward Defence Line localities in Ki'linochchi.

Meanwhile sources in Puthukkuiyiruppu said the SLAF bombers were engaged in air raids along Mullaiththeeuv coastal area, attacking several localities throughout the day.

The fresh offensive push comes after the Tigers claimed that the SLA suffered 170 deaths and more than 250 wounded 6 days ago on 16 December and a preemptive strike on Saturday that killed 60 SLA soldiers.

Chronology: