Heavy fighting near Mankulam

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
More than 200 soldiers were wounded and 20 killed in fierce fighting as troops of Operation Jayasikurui captured Olumadu junction this afternoon said SLA sources in Vavuniya.

They said one Mi 24 helicopter gunship was slightly damaged by fire from the positions of the Liberation Tigers. Its pilot was wounded in his shoulder. However the Mi 24 landed safely in the SLA base in Vavuniya they said.

"The capture of Olumadu junction has brought us closer to Mankulam town" said an army officer in Vavuniya.

Heavy fighting continues in the area in the 3 km gap between Mankulam and Olumadu he said.

Olumadu junction is east of Mankulam on the road to Mullaithivu through Ottisuddan.

The SLA captured and consolidated its positions at Karuppattamurippu and the eastern half of Olumadu in November last year.