In the area southeast of northern Mannar, troops overran 08 LTTE bunker defences reportedly killing over 22 LTTE cadres and injuring at least 26 in fighting that took place in the early hours of Saturday.

Defence sources say troops have gained considerable territory in the area between Parayakulama and Ilanthaivan in these multi-pronged attacks launched in the early hours of Saturday.

SLA is reported to have recovered 11 LTTE bodies along with 7 T-56 assault riffles in Mannar and it believed that LTTE casualty figures would rise as troops are now conducting search operations while consolidating the defences in the area.

Wanni military sources report that at least 22 LTTE terrorists were killed and over 10 wounded in clashes erupted between SLA and LTTE ahead of terrorist defences in Vavuniya and Welioya fronts Saturday (22).

The LTTE cadres were on the run into the rear defence lines in Wanni leaving many LTTE bodies scattered, in what was said to be an 'open patch land' Defence sources said,

Four soldiers died and 16 were wounded during the confrontations on the Manner Front and three soldiers were reported dead while 6 others wounded in confrontations at the Welioya front.

Seven LTTE terrorists were also reported killed in separate clashes with troops ahead of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil LTTE defences in Jaffna Saturday morning, military sources report.

The terrorists were killed in pre-dawn clashes at the Jaffna front, Saturday. Three terrorists were killed by SLA in two separate incidents in south of A-9, while 4 others were also reported killed in clashes at Nagarkovil. There were no damages to SLA troops.

Air Force

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets pounded an LTTE Sea Tiger base and a coordinating center located in Mullaittiuvu yesterday (22), destroying both, defence sources confirmed.

The first attack was launched targeting a pre-identified LTTE sea tiger base located 7km North of Nayaru lagoon in Mullaittiuvu at 11.15 a.m. while the second air raid was launched within hours of the first attack targeting a Sea Tiger coordinating facility located North West of Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mullaittiuvu at around 2.10 pm, sources added.

These bases were under continuous air surveillance and the intelligence reports assisted in locating the precise targets. The first air strike came following intense terrorist activity monitored in the area. Pilots have confirmed the targets were accurately hit.