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Security forces recaptured Madduvil (north) and Sarasalai (west), west of Chavakachcheri in the northern peninsula yesterday with the launch of "Kinihira II", reopening an important supply route to the key junction town of Chavakachcheri, military officials said yesterday. Troops backed by armour and air strikes had mounted limited operations ahead of their defences at Pallai, Chavakachcheri and Ariyalai to support troops engaged in the second phase of operation Kinihira. According to military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunnaratne, the operation was launched in the early hours of yesterday and was successfully completed by 9 am after overcoming terrorist resistance in a three hour battle. However, Deputy Commander of Jaffna major General N.R. Marambe said that resistance of the LTTE had been much less than what the troops expected. Thirteen soldiers were killed and 45 wounded in action. However, Brigadier Karunaratne said that the number of enemy casualties have not been confirmed by yesterday evening. He also added that the regaining of Maduvil area was important to troops since it clears the land route from Maduvil to Chavakachcheri the second largest town in the peninsula. Chavakachcheri was recaptured by troops last week under Kinihira I operation. "This recapturing of this lowland area at this juncture is strategically important for the troops since this entire area goes under water in the coming monsoonal rains to the Jaffna peninsula commencing next month," he said. He said that this will make the troops much more easier to advance while hindering LTTE offensives. Troops are consolidating their positions in the newly captured area.
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