21 terrorists killed in yesterday's clashes - Jaffna and Wanni

Finalised battlefield reports from North indicate 21 terrorist deaths in yesterday's (April 18) military offensives as confirmed by the intercepted LTTE radio transmissions and ground sources. Also, one soldier was killed and 5 others suffered serious injuries during these confrontations occurred in the Jaffna and Wanni theatre of operations.

In the Jaffna theatre of battle, army infantrymen along with their specialised version- mechanised infantry, embarked on series of attacks on LTTE defences in the Muhamalai and Eluthumaduwal areas during the day. However, the exact deaths and casualty figures of LTTE cadres were not ascertained. One solider sustained injury due to LTTE retaliation in on such attack carried out in the Muhamalai area.

On the Vavuniya front, in the Wanni theatre of operations, troops marching ahead had several clashes with the terrorists in the Thachchanamaruthamadu, and Chinnavalayankaddu areas during the day and claimed 11 terrorists were killed. Troops suffered no casualties in any of theses confrontations. Also, troops engaged in the clearing operations removed 65 anti personnel mines for the day.

On the Mannar front, troops attacked terror bunkers in the Manipuilukulam, and Minukkad areas and claimed 6 terrorists were killed, 5 LTTE bunkers captured and another bunker destroyed last morning. In a similar confrontation in Alankulama area troops, claimed 3 terrorists were either killed or wounded on the same day evening. In addition, snipers deployed in the Malikaittidal and Minnukkad area reported shooting down of 3 LTTE cadres. One soldier suffered injuries during these battles.

On the Welioya front, troops had several confrontations in the Kokkutuduval, Janakapura North and Kriibbanwava North areas during the day and confirmed one LTTE cadre was killed and 3 others injured. In addition, one soldiers was killed and 3 others sustained injuries during these clashes. Troops engaged in clearing operations in the area reported removal of 219 anti personnel mines and 2 trapped mortar bombes.