Tigers consolidate captured areas - radio

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Voice of Tigers (VoT) said in its morning news bulletin that the Liberation Tigers are consolidating the areas captured by them in Kilnochchi and its surroundings.

The Radio also said that several civilians have been wounded in the heavy bombing by the SLAF planes which continues in the area.

Meanwhile The Liberation Tigers said in a press release issued on Tuesday that over 300 Sri Lankan troops were killed and several hundreds were injured during the last two days of fierce fighting between the LTTE forces and the Sri Lankan army in the Kilinochchi area of Northern Sri Lanka.

The LTTE press release said:

"In the major counter offensive operation which began on Sunday morning (1 of Feb. 1998) the LTTE fighting formations penetrated the army's forward defence lines and occupied the heart of Kilinochchi town and its surrounding suburbs. One hundred and fifty Tamil Tiger fighters were killed in the battle."

"Deploying heavy artillery and mortar the LTTE fighters have destroyed several military installations and have inflicted heavy casualties to the enemy. The dead bodies of 50 Sri Lankan soldiers taken by the LTTE are to be handed over to the ICRC."

"As a part of this operation, LTTE Black Tiger commandos launched a daring attack on the Elephant pass army camp and destroyed the communication tower. Heavy fighting continues in the area."

"Throughout the operation the Sri Lankan air force bombed civilian targets causing heavy casualties."

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