3RD LEAD

53 SLA killed, 80 wounded, arms seized in Paranthan - LTTE

[TamilNet, Sunday, 04 January 2009, 14:09 GMT]
At least 53 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed, more than 80 sustained injuries and the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) recovered 2 dead bodies of the SLA soldiers in heavy fighting that erupted Sunday when the SLA launched an offensive push through 2nd Mile Post on Paranthan Mullaiththeevu Road on two fronts. LTTE officials further said they seized arms including AK-LMGs, PK-LMGs, Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers (RPGs) and at least ten T-56 assault rifles.

One front was opened by the SLA at 3:00 a.m. and another at 5:00 a.m. The fighting ended around 3:00 p.m.

The SLA forces were forced to abandon their attempt to advance after suffering high casualties, the Tigers said.