STF offensives repulsed - LTTE

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 October 2006, 09:50 GMT]
An offensive launched by the Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) troopers Saturday night into Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled territory south of Batticloa, was repulsed according to LTTE officials in Batticaloa. A Tiger Major and a Captain were killed in action, the Tiger officials said. Meanwhile, residents who fled Periya Porathivu said two civilians were wounded in artillery shelling from Paddiruppu bridge STF positions Friday night. Meanwhile, LTTE sources in Amparai said the STF troopers who penetrated into Kanchikudicharu were forced to retreat following a series of Tiger ambush attacks launched on them.

The STF is yet to release details of the offensive or comment on their casualties.

LTTE sources in Batticaloa claimed that the STF had suffered heavy casualties when Tiger fighters fought the STF troopers back.

LTTE Captain Thathankan (Kovinthan Ponnuthurai), 31, from 39 Colony, Vellaveli and Major Kuyilkannan from Amprai district were killed while fighting back the STF troops who penetrated the LTTE territory towards Vellaveli Saturday night around 8:00.

Artillery support fire was provided from Vavunathivu Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp towards 39th Colony, Vellaveli, Saturday night.

The two civilians wounded Friday night in Periya Porathivu, 15 km south of Batticaloa, were identified as Kopalan Puvanendran, 26, and Ganesan Kanapathipillai, 56.

Mr. Ganesan Kanapathipillai was admitted at Kaluwanchikudy Distirct Hospital and Mr. Kopalan Puvanendran was admitted at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.

Puvenendran's house was destroyed in shelling, according to the residents from the area.

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