Sri Lankan troops who pushed 800 meters deeper into the New Safety Zone, Wednesday, May 13, are now set to launch a major operation to rescue civilians held hostage by the LTTE.

Military sources said troops were proceeding with extreme caution as the humanitarian operations to rescue civilians reach a final stage. Brig. Shavendra de Silva, General Officer in-charge of 58 Division, was quoted in the media saying “we believe that the LTTE would be left with no option but to let the civilians out of its grip. Our focus at the moment is on innocent citizens held hostage by the Tigers. We would target the Tiger cadres and leaders only after all the civilians are evacuated from the NSZ”.

The military has gathered considerable documentary evidence to prove that at least on three occasions the Tigers fired artillery within the NSZ. “It was also in possession of evidence to show the LTTE was destroying permanent buildings in the NSZ and setting on fire vehicles filled with properties of the civilians. The obvious game plan of the LTTE is to put the blame on the military. Their days are numbered” Brig. Shavendra de Silva said.

Among the heavy weapons of the LTTE found by security forces is a Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) used by the LTTE was found by troops of 58 Division conducting a search and clearing operation in Karyalaimullivaikkal on Wednesday morning.

Troops of 11 Sri Lanka Artillery serving under 57 Division uncovered an LTTE aircraft engine and some accessories in a search operation conducted in Thevipuram.

The army Tuesday night thwarted what would have been one of the last LTTE counter attacks on troops now positioned south of the no fire zone.

In an attempt to drive out the 59 division troops who had crossed the Waduvakkal Bridge to reach the southern edge of the No Fire Zone earlier in the day, the LTTE had launched a two-pronged assault.

Four explosives-laden LTTE craft approached the newly liberated area. A sizeable group of terrorists who had come in two large boats landed a little distance away from the northern most positions held by the 59 Division. Three of the suicide craft were blown up, military sources said.