Artillery duel intensifies in Thenmaraadchi FDLs

[TamilNet, Saturday, 19 May 2007, 15:53 GMT]
Liberation Tigers and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) exchanged intense artillery fire across Thenmaradchi (Thenmaraadchi) Forward Defense Lines (FDLs) Friday and Saturday, sources in Thenmaraadchi said. FDL in Mukamaalai also came under severe artillery attack around 12:00 noon Saturday, according to the same sources.

In Thenmaraadchi south, west areas of Koyilaakka'ndi, Ma'ravanpuloa, and Thanagki'l'lappu were focus of artillery fire for the last three days, with high intensity exchange taking place on Friday morning.

SLA was firing from artillery bases from these areas towards Liberation Tigers controlled Poonakari across Jaffna lagoon, and LTTE gunners responded with fire from the bases spread across Poonakari, according to sources.

Sources say that several artillery shells fired by the LTTE exploded in SLA's FDL positions, artillery bases and medical facilities.

SLA has not released any official details of injuries or casualties.

Meanwhile, Vadamaraadchi north coastal area residents have reported sporadic skirmishes between Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) boats and Sea Tigers for the past few days. Residents of Munai reported hearing gunfire in Thursday afternoon for a short period.

Residents from West of KKS shores also reported hearing sounds of artillery fire Friday night. No further details on these incidents are available.

Chronology: