In its continuing humanitarian operation in
the North of Sri Lanka, Army troops rescued
more than 3700 civilians held hostage by the
LTTE as at last evening, May 14.
This rescue mission is proceeding with
several thousand more civilians expected to
be freed from LTTE control and their
movement to safety in the Government
Controlled Area of the Vanni being
facilitated.
This major rescue operation of civilian
hostages comes in the wake of many concerns
being expressed by sections of the
international community as well as the UN
regarding the safety of these civilians held
as human shields by the LTTE.
Last morning, troops of 58 Division started
maneuvering southwards along the coast on
the Eastern border of the newly declared
Civilian Safety Zone, and were able to
eliminate LTTE strongholds up to the Farah
III shipwreck, located on the
Karyalaimullivaikkal coast.The shipwreck
was the main coastal stronghold of the
terrorists, on which their heavy machine
guns were placed. Troops encountered stiff
resistance from the terrorist manning the
shipwreck when they approached the open
beachhead last morning. Infantrymen of 11th
Sri Lanka light infantry and 12 Gajaba
Regiment upon reaching the location have
attacked and destroyed the dinghy boats in
which the terrorists had attempted to
escape.
Meanwhile, a huge explosion has been
reported in the Civilian Safety Zone where
the LTTE leaders are currently hiding in.
According to the reports, the explosion was
heard around 6.30 pm after which they
observed thick black smoke rising above 200m
from the ground. Following the explosion,
all radio communications among the LTTE
units have come to a standstill, the reports
said.
Reports from 59 Division said that 4
civilians were killed and 14 others suffer
serious injuries when the terrorists opened
fire at them as they sought refuge among the
soldiers.
Sri Lanka Air force has airlifted 12 of
the injured to the government hospital
Anuradhapura.
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