Fresh SLA offensive in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 September 2000, 10:46 GMT]
Heavy fighting has erupted again in the northern Jaffna peninsula as government troops launched another offensive to regain control over territories it lost to the Liberation Tigers in the Thenmaradchi sector, in May this year.

Army sources in Jaffna said fierce fighting broke out on three fronts from Saturday morning.

They said the troops launched an offensive thrust towards Chavakachcheri through Sankathaanai on the A-9 highway, and towards Vannaathipaalam on the Kopay-Kaithady road. The third front was in the Colombuthurai-Ariyalai East sector on the south-eastern coast of Jaffna town, they added.

SLA sources in Jaffna claimed that the troops have gained some territories in the latest offensive.

Sources in Jaffna said the government troops and the Tigers continue to exchange heavy artillery and mortar fire.