Strategic bridge captured - LTTE
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 May 2000, 10:15 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said Wednesday their commando units had taken control of a section of the strategic Navatkuli bridge, cutting off the A9 highway. Heavy fighting was continuing in the area, the LTTE said in a statement released from its London offices.
The text of the statement follows: "The commando units of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in a dramatic offensive push took control of a section of the strategic Navatkuli bridge barely 3 kilometres from Jaffna town today and cut-off the A9 highway (Kandy Rd) in that sector. "Fierce fighting flared up in the vicinity of Jaffna town when the combat formations of the Tamil Tigers launched a massive offensive assault on three fronts in the early hours of the morning today. Sri Lankan military bases at Thanankilappu, Ariyalai and Navatkuli came under intense fire as the Tiger fighting units opened up heavy artillery and mortar bombardment. According to authentic reports received from the battlefronts, Sri Lankan troops have suffered heavy casualties. Ferocious fighting is continuing in these sectors. "The offensive operation code named 'Unceasing Waves 3', resumed today following Sri Lanka government's rejection of a cease-fire proposal put forward by the Liberation Tigers. The LTTE offered a cessation of hostilities to facilitate the safe evacuation of Sri Lankan troops trapped in the Jaffna peninsula. The government rejected the peace proposal as a ploy of psychological warfare. "The fall of Navatkuli bridge and the bifurcation of the A9 highway near Jaffna town have situated the Sri Lankan troops occupying Tenmarachchi sector in a precarious position."
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